Rio de Janeiro's digital parking pilot records over 7,600 activations in first weekend

The Rio Rotativo Digital system began operating on Friday, 17 July, as a pilot in seven zones around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone. In its first weekend the service logged more than 7,600 two‑hour parking activations at 667 digital spots.

Motorists access the service through the municipal Jaé app, selecting the "Rio Rotativo" option, confirming the GPS‑identified address, entering their license plate, choosing a duration and paying R$2 per two‑hour block via digital wallet credits topped up with Pix or credit‑card. The fee, and the maximum six‑hour stay per spot, remain unchanged from the previous paper‑ticket system. The pilot also includes designated bays for motorcycles, seniors and people with disabilities.

Guardadores (parking attendants) are integrated into the new model to help record occupancy via the platform, but they have no authority to issue fines; enforcement remains with traffic authorities, which will use the system’s electronic records and images. The municipality will assess the pilot before extending the digital parking system to additional city areas.