Ticketless On-Street Paid Parking to Roll Out Soon at Dubai Silicon Oasis
DUBAI Dubai is expanding its smart, digital parking infrastructure with the introduction of a ticketless on-street paid parking system in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Managed by the smart mobility company Parkonic, this system aims to modernise parking, reduce congestion, and simplify payment for motorists in one of the city’s growing mixed-use communities.
What’s Changing?
Unlike traditional street parking where drivers collect a ticket or pay at a meter, the new DSO parking zone will operate completely ticketless and cashless. There will be no physical meters, cash terminals, or QR code machines on site. Instead, your vehicle’s licence plate becomes your digital parking record.
This move aligns with Dubai’s broader push toward smart city solutions that use technology to simplify everyday tasks and help manage urban infrastructure more efficiently.
How the System Works
The Parkonic system uses number-plate recognition technology and integrates with the city’s existing toll payment network. Here’s how it functions:
Licence Plate Identification
When a vehicle enters a parking spot, on-street cameras and sensors recognise the licence plate and register the parking session. This eliminates the need for tickets, barriers, or manual inputs.
Payment Methods
Drivers have two main ways to pay:
- SMS Parking: Motorists send a parking initiation message to a number shown on street signage to start the session.
- Automatic Salik Deduction: If no SMS registration is made, the parking fees can be automatically deducted from the vehicle’s Salik account upon exit. This method is the default payment option.
Important: Vehicles without a Salik account or with insufficient Salik funds should use the SMS method to avoid fines or enforcement actions.
Dubai Silicon Oasis Ticketless Parking Fees and Timings
The parking fees at DSO will vary by time of day to encourage balanced use of on-street spaces:
| Time of Day | Parking Rate |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | AED 4 per hour |
| 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Peak) | AED 6 per hour |
| 8:00 PM – 12:00 Midnight | AED 4 per hour |
Parking charges generally apply Monday to Saturday. Parking remains free on Sundays and public holidays.
Fees apply to all vehicles, including those used by People of Determination (Pod), meaning that exemptions are not automatically granted based on vehicle type.
Enforcement & Compliance
Parkonic’s terms emphasise that failure to pay the applicable parking charges could attract enforcement actions by Dubai authorities, including fines or blacklisting. Drivers are therefore encouraged to ensure they either have a valid Salik balance or use the SMS parking method before leaving the parking area.
While the exact date when enforcement begins at DSO hasn’t been confirmed yet, authorities and Parkonic will issue official notices ahead of activation, so motorists should stay tuned to updates.
Why It Matters
The introduction of this smart parking system reflects a broader trend in the UAE, especially in Dubai, where digital technologies are replacing older, more manual systems. Similar ticketless and automated parking solutions are already in use in areas such as Dubai Harbour and Palm Jumeirah Crescent, where cameras and AI automatically record parking and handle payments.
For everyday drivers, this means:
- Less time spent feeding meters or locating payment machines
- Fewer hassles when entering and exiting parking zones
- A more seamless integration with digital services like Salik