A total of 22 streets are involved: five in Scheveningen and 17 in the Old Center, where a daily ticket rate of €50 applies. This daily ticket has had a clear effect. Streets are quieter, and permit holders find parking spaces more quickly. However, entrepreneurs indicate that their customers are less likely to come for a quick errand, something that the new regulation takes better into account.
Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Mobility): “Den Haag is growing, and there is little space on the street. Since space does not just appear, we must make conscious choices. One of those choices is the introduction of a progressive parking rate in two busy areas of the city. This means that the parking rate increases every ten minutes. This keeps short-term parking possible while discouraging long-term parking, without compromising short shopping visits.”
How the progressive rate works
In the two mentioned locations, the parking rate increases every ten minutes. The longer someone parks, the higher the rate. This can rise to a maximum of €50 if you stay longer than an hour and a half. In surrounding areas, an intermediate rate of €4.85 per hour will be introduced to prevent parkers from moving to cheaper neighborhoods and causing parking nuisance there.
Kapteijns explains: “We must use the space we have wisely. The progressive parking rate prevents long-term street parking in busy areas. It is one of the measures to manage car use while keeping short-term parking accessible on the street. If you need to be in the city longer, there are other affordable initiatives. For example, via SlimParkeren.nl. You can park all day for €7.50, including a tram ticket to the center or Scheveningen.”
Part of the mobility transition
The introduction of the progressive parking rate is part of the broader Parking Strategy Den Haag 2021–2030. With this strategy, the municipality focuses on space-efficient mobility, where the available public space is distributed more fairly among cars, bicycles, pedestrians, and greenery. The progressive parking rate aligns with this course: it allows for more efficient use of limited space and encourages the use of alternatives. This contributes to a future-proof city where accessibility and quality of life go hand in hand.