29.02.2016

The Zone bleue will be operational starting on Tuesday

Motorists can retrieve the disc from the Collectivité and in seven gas stations.

There are those that will join immediately and those who will shun the new system, not counting those who will try to cheat. The Zone bleue is set up to allow better rotation of 410 parking spots in the city center and thus gives the opportunity to a greater number of people to park in Marigot to go shopping. Its success will therefore depend on the willingness of motorists to comply with this new rule.

The rule is simple: the driver puts a disc on the dashboard indicating his time of arrival at the parking spot, and from that time on, he has ninety minutes of free parking. If he does not show the disc, he risks getting a fine. The territorial police will be commissioned to carry out the checks. They can issue a ticket if they spot a car whose disc has been changed without the car being moved.

Guillaume Arnell, the first vice president in charge of sustainable development, ensures that the parking checks will start very soon. The Collectivité is granting one month to the motorists to get used to the new system. Then, in the following two months, the police will be allowed to give warnings first and subsequently give tickets.

Motorists have to get their own disc. 20,000 of them have been printed and are available in the Hôtel de la Collectivité, as well as in seven gas stations located on the French side. Note that car renters need to order the discs as well in order to leave them in their vehicles. Merchants and other businesses can also order them, brand them and distribute them to their clients.

Residents are not allowed to leave their cars parked all day in one spot; they must move. They are also invited to make themselves known to the local authority to be counted. Depending on the number of locals counted, beneficial arrangements could be made.

Parking will be regulated as of tomorrow Tuesday, and following that every day from 8am to 6pm except on Sundays and public holidays.

It has to be noted that motorists whose cars are registered on the Dutch side are not exempt from the rule and must also get a disc and use it.

List of gas stations distributing the disc