The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The core issue of urban parking congestion remains far from resolved. As vehicle numbers continue to surge and urban spaces shrink, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) has outlined a far-reaching plan that goes well beyond digital tools, aiming instead for a structural transformation of how Bhutan’s capital—and other urban centers—approach mobility.
At the heart of the government’s response lies a strategic pivot: shifting from reactive parking management to proactive urban mobility planning. Guided by the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP), the Thimphu-Paro Regional Strategy, and the Low Emissions Transport Master Plan (LETMP), authorities are working to rebalance transport priorities.
“Our focus is not just to find more parking spaces,” the MoIT stated, “but to reduce dependency on private vehicles altogether.”
Studies show that existing off-street parking facilities such as Multi-Level Car Parks (MLCPs) and the Changlimithang Stadium lot are underutilized, averaging only 50% occupancy. The ministry now plans to revitalize and promote these facilities more effectively, while discouraging reliance on on-street parking—especially in city core areas like Norzin Lam and Chang Lam.
Future urban centers in Jungshina and Olakha will also see restrictions on surface parking, with designs tailored to maintain walkability and urban aesthetics.
The new policy direction discourages parking in front setbacks, aiming instead to hide parking areas underground or behind buildings to improve both traffic flow and pedestrian experience. This marks a clear shift from car-centric urban design to one that values the public realm.
To support this, park-and-ride facilities are being proposed in Thimphu’s north and south ends, offering commuters the chance to switch to public transport before entering congested zones.
A key innovation is the introduction of dynamic parking charges—variable pricing based on time and demand, replacing the current static model that often allows drivers to avoid fees by parking overnight after enforcement hours.
The government is also eyeing parking meters with ticketing and app-based integration, bringing real-time transparency and ease of payment to on-street users.
The TSP and LETMP signal an ambitious shift toward sustainable transport. Chief among them is the Bus Priority Trunk Corridor, stretching from Ngabiphu to Dechencholing. With projected speeds of 25.6 km/h, this corridor could increase daily bus trips to 78,000 by 2047, raising bus usage from 15% to 44%.
To meet this demand, 89 new buses are planned for both trunk and feeder routes, making public transport a truly viable alternative.
