Mall of the Emirates is preparing to roll out a new ‘barrierless parking’ system, replacing traditional barriers with sensors.
This system, announced in October 2024, is part of a wider initiative to improve parking across three major malls in Dubai: Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Mirdif.
The new paid parking system, developed by Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Properties in partnership with Parkin PJSC, will eliminate the need for drivers to stop and wait at barriers when entering or exiting parking lots. Instead, advanced cameras will automatically capture license plates and track vehicles' duration of stay. Drivers will receive an SMS or app alert detailing parking charges, which can be paid via the Parkin app or website.
Though the system was originally set to launch on January 1, 2025, no official start date has been confirmed yet. Once fully implemented, the barrierless system is expected to ease access for over 20 million vehicles annually at the three malls, which collectively offer 21,000 parking spaces.
Despite the technological upgrade, parking fees at these malls will remain unchanged. Mall of the Emirates will continue to offer the first four hours free, while City Centre Deira will remain free for the first three hours. Validated ticket holders will be able to waive fees if they make a purchase at participating stores. City Centre Mirdif will continue to offer free parking altogether.
The initiative, under a five-year contract with Parkin, aims to reduce congestion and streamline traffic flow, improving the overall customer experience at these busy retail locations. This follows a similar system already in place at Dubai Mall’s paid parking areas operated by Salik.
News Source: Khaleej Times
