Madrid has implemented a change in the Regulated Parking Service (SER) that will make drivers pay only for the exact time they are parked. This change seeks to encourage greater vehicle turnover in regulated parking zones and to reward those who use the service efficiently. Although no exact date has been announced yet, it is known that it will be implemented soon, between the end of May and the beginning of June.
Madrid City Council has revised the rates and payment methods for parking meters, introducing discounts and bonuses for certain user profiles and for those who use mobile applications to manage their parking. In addition, prices have been adjusted according to the area and duration of parking, with lower rates at times and areas of lower demand.
Only drivers using some of the six official SER parking mobile applications will be able to access the “desaparcar” option, thus achieving the possibility of paying only for the exact time the space is used, and avoiding paying for full hours when it is not necessary. In physical parking meters it will not be available by the hour, as explained by the delegate of Urbanism, Environment and Mobility of the Madrid City Council, Borja Carabante.
The apps in which this function is available are: ElParking, Telpark, ParkingLibre, Easypark, Blinkay, Parclick and Bip&Drive.
Warning systems have also been implemented to remind the end of the contracted time, which helps to avoid fines for excess time.
Differentiated rates by zones and timetables
Madrid has divided parking zones into different categories according to demand and location, with prices varying to encourage responsible use. For example, in central and high-demand areas, rates are higher, while in peripheral neighborhoods or during night and holiday hours, prices are considerably lower.
How to pay less
To pay less at Madrid’s parking meters, it is essential:
- Use the official mobile apps to manage parking time.
- Park in areas with less demand or at times with lower rates.
- Plan your parking time so as not to overpay and avoid fines.
- Take advantage of bonuses for residents and frequent users.
This change in the parking meter system also seeks to reduce congestion and pollution in the city, promoting a more sustainable and efficient mobility.