Tenfold increase parking fee revenues within two decades

Dutch municipalities expect to receive 533 million euro in parking fees, ten times as much as in 1989. Amsterdam estimates to receive more than 130 million euro over 2009, i.e. one quarter of total municipal tax revenues.

Average annual increase municipal taxes, 1989–2009

Higher parking rates and extension of paid parking zones

The increase in parking fee revenues is mainly due to higher rates and extension of paid parking zones. The number of paid parking zones is growing and paid parking hours have been extended. The number of municipalities that introduced paid parking zones has grown from 126 in 1989 to 159 in 2009.

Parking fees one of the main sources of income in Amsterdam

With 131 million euro, parking fees constitute the highest part (nearly 25 percent) of total estimated municipal tax revenues in Amsterdam in 2009.

Parking fees also represent a considerable source of income for smaller municipalities featuring many tourist attractions. In Zandvoort and Valkenburg aan de Geul, for example, parking fees are estimated to account for 22 and 18 percent of total municipal tax revenues in 2009.

Municipalities charging parking fees by population, 2009

Paid parking zones mainly found in major cities

All municipalities with a population of more than 100 thousand charge parking fees. One in three municipalities with a population of 20 to 50 thousand and one in seven municipalities with fewer than 20 thousand residents have paid parking zones.

Share parking tax in total municipal tax revenues, 2009

In big cities, parking fees constitute a larger share of municipal revenues than in smaller municipalities. In the four major cities, parking fees make up 16 percent of estimated tax revenues. In smaller towns (20 thousand or fewer residents), the share is estimated at 6 percent in 2009.

Paul van der Beek