Introducing the FKPT

The General Assembly of the Municipality of Budapest adopted the Guidelines of improving public space parking on March 11, 1993. The fundamental idea of these guidelines was the introduction of a system of paid parking zones preferring residental and short-time parking. based on the guidelines, the Decree of the General Assembly of the Municipality of Budapest on the uniform regulation of vehicle parking on the public spaces and forests of Budapest, parking fees and the storage of unserviceable vehicles, Nr. 38/1993 (XII.27.) Főv.Kgy. (revised several times), which was replaced at present, the Decree Nr. 30/2010 (VI.4.) is in force.

In order to implement the guidelines and the Decree, on November 22, 1994, the Municipality of Budapest has founded, in cooperation with District V of Budapest, the On Street Parking Association (FKPT). FKPT, which has been the only parking operator in Budapest operating pay-and-display ticket machines for several years, started to operate paid public space parking on April 19, 1996. Throughout the first years, the service area had grown dynamically, and by 1998, the whole area of District V (with the exception of the so-called "Protected Zone" or "Restricted Area") came under regulation. As it is known, there are three companies today operating pay-and-display ticket machines. Due to the decision of the owner local governments, the area operated by FKPT was reduced at the end of 1999 and 2000. As a consequence of the construction of underground multi-storey car parks, the creation of taxi stands and pedestrian streets, and other traffic changes in District V, the service area has been gradually decreasing since 2001.