The parking rules at Rocca al Mare shopping center will change from July 1st. Now, free parking is available for up to two hours per day. After two hours, every started half-hour costs 1 euro. Parking near the entrance is immediately paid.
People are angry on social media. They think two hours is too little time. For example, Ülemiste shopping center offers five hours of free parking. At Nautica shopping center, the parking time is constantly refreshed.
At Rocca al Mare shopping center, there is no need to use a parking clock. New cameras read license plates. The cameras calculate the total parking time during the day. If the parking time exceeds two hours, payment is required.
The center also has a convenience parking lot. It is located near the entrance and is immediately paid. The convenience parking is for those who want to park quickly and are willing to pay for it.
The center's manager, Helina Leif, says the changes will help improve parking. Previously, some people used parking spaces for too long. This left no spaces for others. The new rules will help solve this problem.
Leif says the prices are not random. The center studied customer behavior beforehand. If needed, the rules can be changed in the future. The center also discussed the changes with stores. Some stores are happy, others are waiting to see what happens.
Apollo store manager Kristi Juhandi says the new rules may help stores. If customers have time, they will buy more. But if customers don't have time, it could harm the stores.
Selver manager Mariann Järvela says the change won't affect their customers. Two hours is enough for grocery shopping. Most people spend about half an hour in the store.
Special rules apply to some customers. For example, visitors to the gym or children's play area can park longer. Customers of food establishments get two hours of free parking. The center says no store plans to leave.