Torbole Introduces Paid Parking to Combat Congestion and Fund Services

Finding a free parking spot will become increasingly challenging, especially in Torbole. Naturally, during the summer months and particularly on weekends. The so-called commuter tourists are warned.

The measure introduced by the city council (with the minority abstaining) is precisely aimed at them. If they want to enjoy the lake, they will have to pay a fee.

In fact, even the last refuge, the Panorama parking lot, where one can leave their bulky car in the shade of olive trees, will be fee-based.

It is a very explicit way to encourage them to contribute to the significant management costs borne by the Municipality, which they themselves have caused to increase, according to the justification provided. Expenses for cleaning and maintenance of the entire area, which they had previously escaped despite benefiting from all the public services offered.

The fee will be 1,000 lire per hour, with a maximum of 10,000 lire per day.

Impact on residents and available concessions

Parking from Easter onwards will also become a problem for residents if they wish to move around with their cars, even though concessions are foreseen in two areas (Panorama and Cor).

This means residents can pay less by subscribing to a sort of annual pass (the introduction of a sticker is probable) at a cost of almost symbolic 10,000 lire.

This measure is primarily designed to cater to the more recreational needs of the residents of Nago, since they will only pay on Saturdays and Sundays, when offices are closed.

The same applies to many workers, employees of Torbole-based companies, who will subscribe at a less symbolic price of 60,000 lire.

Fare increases and parking management

And since bad news never comes alone, it should also be noted that parking fees have been increased.

In fact, fees will rise from 1,500 lire per hour to 2,000, in almost all blue zones. Except for the Cor parking lot, where the rate remains 1,500 lire.

Concealed increases are also authorized at the two privately managed parking lots, Conca d’Oro and Villa Cian: fees will go from 15,000 to 20,000 lire, with the possibility of a discount to 12,000 lire for half a day.

All of this ultimately benefits the Municipality’s coffers.

Last year, around 300 million lire were collected from parking meters alone, not counting the rents from several other parking spaces leased to hotels.

Cirillo Tonelli, always attentive to the finances, estimates the total revenue at 570 billion lire, including income from fines issued by the urban police, mostly for parking violations.

This data suggests that, rather than celebrating, there is still much to be done regarding parking facilities.