According to him, after the Seimas elections, the proposals of the ruling majority to drastically increase parking rates in the city of Vilnius reached the Vilnius Economic and Financial Committee.
“It seems that it is not limited to that, as it is also proposed to tax the courtyards of multi-apartment houses by introducing a new “white” zone with certain exceptions. In this zone, the offered rate is 0.2 EUR per hour, but this is where cars park the longest.
The red zone would also be greatly expanded in the city, and the rate in this zone would be what it is now in the blue zone. Two hours in the blue zone will cost 8 Eur, which is really quite a lot.
So parking can be more expensive than a theater ticket or meeting lunch”, writes V.Sadauskas on his Facebook account.
Proposed local toll changes:
- In the blue zone – increase from 2.5 EUR to 4.0 EUR per hour;
- In the red zone – increase from 1.5 EUR to 2.5 EUR per hour;
- In the yellow zone – from 0.6 EUR to 1.0 EUR per hour;
- In the green zone – increase from 0.3 EUR to 0.5 EUR per hour.
“You can’t just call it “hygienic” corrections, as they try to justify. There seems to be a strong desire to drive cars out of the center, although there are no comprehensive solutions to increase the number of parking spaces.
During the presentation, comparisons are made with Amsterdam and Copenhagen, although Vilnius does not have a metro or a tram, and Vilnius itself is greatly expanded into the suburbs, so not everything is as simple as simply “increasing” the parking fee with a light hand.
It is also difficult to take children from Balsia to Užupis with a scooter, because as a rule there are not enough places for children in schools or kindergartens in the suburbs”, V. Sadauskas criticizes the proposal.
According to him, car sharing rates are also proposed to be increased, so the prices of expensive car sharing services are very likely (it is expected that from July 1, 2025, the €89 fee will be valid until the e-share reaches 10 percent of the fleet ).
V. Sadauskas says that as soon as the percentage of electric cars in the city reaches 3 percent, their parking will also be charged.
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**Interview with V. Sadauskas on Proposed Parking Fee Increases in Vilnius**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, V. Sadauskas. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent proposals regarding parking fees in Vilnius. Could you start by explaining your main concerns about these proposed increases?
**V. Sadauskas:** Good afternoon! My primary concern is the significant burden these proposed parking fee increases will place on residents and visitors alike. It’s alarming to see plans to raise fees to levels that might exceed the cost of going to a theater or having a meeting lunch. The increases in various zones, especially the blue zone rising from 2.5 EUR to 4.0 EUR per hour, are particularly striking.
**Editor:** That is indeed quite steep. You mentioned a new “white” zone where car parking will be taxed at a lower rate but is intended for those areas where cars tend to park for longer. How do you think this will affect residents living near these zones?
**V. Sadauskas:** The introduction of a “white” zone could create confusion. While the rate of 0.2 EUR may seem more appealing, it addresses only part of the problem. Long-term parking in residential areas should have better regulation, but simply introducing a new zone at a lower rate may not resolve the fundamental issues—such as congestion and accessibility for residents.
**Editor:** The expansion of the red zone you’ve mentioned also raises eyebrows. How do you see that affecting daily commuters and local businesses?
**V. Sadauskas:** Expanding the red zone primarily affects those who commute to work in the city. An increase in fees here could discourage people from visiting local businesses, ultimately harming them. If someone’s looking to grab lunch or run errands, they need to factor in parking costs, which will deter many.
**Editor:** You’ve referred to these proposed changes as more than just “hygienic corrections.” Could you elaborate on that statement?
**V. Sadauskas:** Exactly. It’s not merely about tidying up parking regulations. This feels like an aggressive push to dissuade car usage altogether in the city. While I certainly understand environmental concerns and the desire to promote public transportation, the proposals seem to tilt too far in that direction and could disproportionately affect daily commuters and families who rely on cars for their routines.
**Editor:** Thank you for shedding light on these important issues, V. Sadauskas. How do you think residents could best respond to these proposals as they move through the committee?
**V. Sadauskas:** I encourage residents to voice their concerns to their local representatives and participate in city hall meetings. Engaging with community forums can also play a crucial role. It’s vital for the public to express how these changes could affect their lives and what alternatives may be feasible to improve the city’s transport and parking situation without burdening the citizens further.
**Editor:** Thank you, V. Sadauskas, for your insights! It’s clear that the implications of these proposed changes are far-reaching and warrant careful consideration by the city’s lawmakers.
