The Alicante Municipality to Halve Blue Zone for Residents and Traders

Certain changes are underway in the regulated parking service (ORA) of Calp. The City Council has already drafted and approved the document that will govern the new contract, thus opening the bidding process. The most notable aspect of the new document is the reduction of the blue zone rate for residents and traders by almost 50%, while in the orange zone (beach area) it is 22%, according to the Council.

Thus, the hourly rate in the blue zone for residents is reduced from €0.40 to €0.25, while the orange zone rate drops from €0.45 to €0.35. However, the general blue zone rate increases from €0.85 to €1.10, and in the orange zone from €0.95 to €1.45.

With this tariff modification, the Calp Council aims to 'benefit' resident citizens by reducing the cost of parking in regulated areas. The hours are also changing, as the maximum time allowed in the blue zone was two hours and in the orange zone three hours. With the new document, it becomes three hours and six hours, respectively.

Other changes include the absorption of the green zone into the blue zone, meaning the green zone, which was regulated parking only in the morning, will disappear, and the elimination of the mixed orange zone. Thus, the blue zone will have 920 spaces and the orange zone 1135 spaces.

Additionally, the document establishes the investment in replacing parking meters that do not allow credit card payments. Furthermore, the concessionaire company must provide the service of two tow trucks. Therefore, the proposed annual fee is €350,000 plus VAT, which can be improved by companies bidding for the contract, according to the Calp City Council.

The Councillor for Procurement, Ximo Perles, stated that 'an in-depth study of the regulated parking service has been conducted, and we have opted to reduce the cost for residents in Calp. We have modified hours and rates to benefit residents while simultaneously increasing vehicle turnover during the summer season with a higher percentage of tourists.'