Parking and traffic fines have increased tenfold in Tirana during the last four years, according to data from BIRN.
Revenue from these fines has also increased from 151 million ALL (EUR 1.22 million) to 458 million (EUR3.69 million) between 2016 and 2018., There is no data available for the value of fines in 2019 or 2020.
Agron Haxhimali, Executive Director of the Association of Albanian Municipalities told BIRN that it was a “secret tax” and a way to increase revenues in the municipality.
Data from the Municipality of Tirana site shows that the number of fines given has increased from 211,000 in 2018 to 223,000 in 2019. The number of fines is believed to have remained high despite the city being in lockdown for three months.
It’s reported that Tirana provides 20 times more revenue than Durres and 3 times more than Shkodra, Fier, and Vlora combined.
Haxhimali said that the Municipality of Tirana had failed to raise awareness over the conditions under which parking fines can be levied.
One woman that Exit spoke to said that she had recently moved to an area near Blloku. At the beginning of March, she woke up one morning to find that signs had been put up in the parking area that serves the apartments she lived in. These signs said that all cars parked must display the residents’ card that is provided by the Municipality.
Shortly after, the country went into lockdown. Unable to get the documents requested, she was fined several times. After the lockdown was lifted, she acquired the residents’ card and displayed it on her car. She still received fines for parking below her home.
She inquired with the Municipality and presented her residents permit. She was told she had to pay the fine upfront and then appeal it afterwards.
The Municipality has received criticism for not trying to resolve the parking issues in the city, instead of giving fines to increase revenue.
