Parking meters in Mexico City are part of a system that controls on-street parking, operating by charging a fee authorized by the Ministry of Mobility (Semovi).
However, the ecoParq system doesn’t operate every day of the year; there are exceptions that drivers should be aware of if they want to use it for free this February. Here’s what they are.
Which days in February will parking meters be free in Mexico City?
In Mexico City, parking meters are free on Sundays and holidays established by the Federal Labor Law (LFT). Therefore, on Monday, February 2nd, in observance of Constitution Day, you can park for free.
Although the official date of the commemoration is February 5th, remember that it is observed on the first Monday of the month. You’ll likely want to take advantage of the long weekend to go out and about in the capital, and this exemption could save you some extra money.
What you should keep in mind is that parking meter hours vary across different areas of Mexico City. For example, in the neighborhoods of Benito Juárez Norte and Sur, Anzures, Lomas de Chapultepec, and Florida, they operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, in Polanco, in addition to operating during the same hours, service is extended from Wednesday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day, within the area bounded by Arquímedes, Horacio, Moliere, and Reforma avenues.
Finally, in the Roma and Hipódromo neighborhoods, parking meters operate Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and also offer extended hours from Thursday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day.
Remember that the current parking meter rate is $3.40 for every 15 minutes.
What are the payment methods for parking meters in Mexico City?
You can pay for parking meters using three methods: cash (specifically coins), the “Mueve Ciudad” prepaid card (which is valid in all zones, except for Juárez and Cuauhtémoc), and the following authorized Mexico City apps:
Blinkay: valid in the neighborhoods of Noche Buena, Extremadura Insurgentes, Insurgentes Mixcoac, San José Insurgentes, and Crédito Constructor.
Parkum: valid in all zones, except Juárez and Cuauhtémoc.
Mueve Ciudad: valid in all zones, except Juárez and Cuauhtémoc.
What happens if you don’t pay the parking meter?
If you fail to pay the parking meter, traffic authorities can place an immobilizer on your car, regardless of whether it has local or out-of-state license plates. Removing this device costs an additional $340.
Furthermore, the Mexico City Traffic Regulations state that the fine for late payment or non-payment can be 5, 7, or 10 times the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA).
In February, the UMA will be updated to $117.31, so the penalty could range from $586.55 to $1,173.
Finally, although motorcycles are exempt from paying the parking meter, they can still be ticketed if they are not parked in the designated area.
Source_ eluniversal
