Dammam has joined the paid-parking club of cities around the world. Saudi Gazette reported on March 19 that the system was in place and on March 25 that motorists are "happy with paid parking system."

We won't know if the public is genuinely happy unless we take an honest survey.

When I first heard of the plan being mooted, I frowned. The only place I've seen it is in Dubai/Sharjah, and it's quite pathetic for people. There's not a place left without those meters. So much money has to be shelled out for parking there. Not to mention coming back periodically to extend the parking time by buying another ticket, so that the parking "policeman" doesn't fine you.

Agreed, there are problems with parking in Saudi Arabia. Many motorists just double park on crowded streets without much concern for the trouble it causes to others. But why paid parking? Why not stricter rules and fines for those who break the law? I think that should solve the problem.

Remember, we have a responsibility to consider everybody's interests. Paid parking may be welcomed by those who have lots of extra money to spend, but what about those who cannot afford it? When the money they earn is only sufficient for their daily needs, any extra expenditure will force them to cut down on their legitimate needs. They may even have to give up using cars.

No, I like "first-come, first-served" option better for public services. If you do want to create a paid-service for the affluent, keep it as an option, but don't make it mandatory on everyone. People with the extra bucks won't mind paying in special parking zones, and the rest of us will just stick to the street.

I sincerely hope this will fail.

(The above is entirely a personal opinion, not derived from any research. So I may be completely wrong. If you feel the truth is otherwise, please let us know.)