Drivers will have to pay for parking their cars at Kote Abkhazi (former Leselidze Street) and adjacent streets in Tbilisi starting July 1 – Vice-Mayor Irakli Khmaladze said. The regulation will not refer to locals living in these streets.

The parking rate per hour will be at least 50 Tetris as Tbilisi City Hall says.  Khmaladze explained that the regulation for the introduction of paid parking aims at reduction of air pollution and encouragement of citizens to use public transport in Tbilisi as well as reduction of the number of cars.

“We will have a meeting in the City Assembly this week. My idea is the minimal rate to be 50 Tetris, but the rates will vary according to streets. We should determine the minimum rate and observe the situation. If the 50-Tetri rate does not turn out to be effective, we will further increase the rate. It is not our aim to mobilize income, our aim is to reduce the number of cars in the capital,” Irakli Khmaladze said.

In addition, according to Vice-Mayor, employees will not be able to enjoy any discount for parking a car near their office. Renovation of the municipal transport network will be over in March.