Coronavirus implications change the way motorists park in Budapest
Tags: Fintech, Hungary, Parking, Coronavirus, Budapest

The new regulation on free public parking has been a significant turning point in Budapest’s traffic. In response to the pandemic prevention during the emergency phase of the novel coronavirus, the Hungarian government has introduced a decree about making street parking free nationwide, starting on 6th April.

Public parking fees will be eliminated foreseeably until the end of the emergency phase. Thus, the measure has a huge impact on big cities’ traffic. By encouraging car usage instead of crowded public transport due safety reasons, increased road traffic and more congestion in the capital can be measured.

However, prior to the order of free public parking, the city has experienced a historical drop in road traffic after the state of emergency announced on March 11th. The average daily traffic can be estimated with the help of statistics provided by Waze app, TomTom and Budapest Közút. Data showed that in the third week of March the average number of 18 thousand active Waze users fell to an average of 9 thousand users, while by the fourth week only around 6 thousand users were actively using the application. The Budapest Közút statistics which estimate bridge traffic revealed smaller numbers: according to its data traffic has been reduced by approximately 40% in the last two weeks of March.

Rollet’s drive-through payment and seamless parking app has recorded a huge drop in the number of parking sessions as well, as users were obliged and preferred to stay home following the introduction of preventive restrictions. After the official Hungarian Government announcement, by the end of March daily parking sessions in Budapest have decreased by 65% compared to the average number of first two weeks of March. The numbers show that users have taken the prevention seriously contributing to the fight against the virus. Rollet along with Star Park Group provide an 80% discount on its Budapest parking locations to make life easier for those who are not able to work from home in these difficult times. The full list of drive-through payment parking lots in Budapest is available here.

The decision of free public parking has changed the landscapes. Many, who would have been using other forms of transport or stayed home have sat behind the wheel again. Following the announcement, the average number of cars on the roads have increased by 10–15% in the first weeks of April according to Wazestats, TomTom and Budapest Közút data. Although the traffic level is still significantly lower compared to pre-pandemic levels as people are working from home and preventive restrictions are still in effect, TomTom data — measured in local breakdowns — show that in certain downtown streets congestion has risen by more than 50%.

Free public parking drew controversy also because higher parkings may result in harming the locals’ interests. As in many cases drivers take the places where locals used to park and illegal parkings rise, locals tend to find it more difficult to find free parking spaces in downtown districts.

Yet, the global coronavirus pandemic holds numerous challenges for big cities’ urban transport. As Budapest together with other big cities turn to safer alternatives, the implications of the pandemic can have a great effect on the future of Budapest traffic.

Articles and data used in the blog post: