Playa del Carmen Officials Work to Improve Parking Meter Payments

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — City officials are working with the company that operates Playa del Carmen’s parking meters to address 11 key issues following widespread complaints from residents and business owners.

Javier Santos Morales, the city councilor who chairs the Mobility Commission, said the goal is to improve service in upcoming meetings with representatives of Playaparq, the concessionaire.

“We are in talks with the company’s legal representative, and as councilors we are taking into account the issues citizens have raised,” Santos Morales said. “Among the main concerns are cash payments — not all machines work or are enabled for cash — and the time people lose going to pay and returning, only to find their car immobilized.”

The discussions come after an attempt by Playaparq to increase the parking rate. The current cost is 10 pesos per hour, and the company had expressed interest in raising it.

Santos Morales said the city is also considering inclusive spaces and spots for people with disabilities. “We want to reach agreements with the City Council and the company. Another point is the implementation of new software, which the company said would have an additional cost that they would cover. We also have a proposal — all for the good of the citizens,” he added.

The councilor acknowledged that a rate increase could happen, but only if all citizen demands for improved service are met first.

Playaparq has faced intense criticism in recent months, with drivers reporting that immobilization devices were placed on their vehicles for non-payment, even when the parking meters were not working properly.