Understanding the Working of Zona Azul in Sao Paulo

Blue Zone or Zona Azul is a paid parking system that runs in some districts of São Paulo. This system was introduced on 30th December 1974 to promote the rotation of street parking spaces and allow convenient access to businesses. The system is very simple once you know its working.

The below list of points will help you understand how the Zona Azul in Sao Paulo works:

1: How are beads used?

Every sheet of Zona Azul last for an hour, yet the CET (Traffic Engineering Company) lets you use up to two blue zone cards at a time for the drivers to park their care in the particular space for a couple of hours. They must always be uncover on the center of the windscreen.

After this time, the vehicle needs to be removed from that zone, except if the card specifies otherwise. In notable areas of the Sao Paulo, like Parque do Ibirapuera, the Zona Azul ticket can be utilized for increased periods.

2: Are there Blue Zone position only for the disabled and elderly?

Yes. The disabled and elderly people who want to utilize the spaces booked for them must carry the card issued specifically for this public by CET. Only vehicles with this ID are permitted to park in places for the disabled and elderly. But they obey the same rules as the others in the rotational parking lot.

3: What if I do not utilize the leaves when parking?

Disregard of the Zona Azul in Sao Paulo, i.e. parking in a rotational parking area without the payment of fee, is a significant infraction. The fine is around $128 which causes the loss of 5 points in the Driving License.

4: Where can I buy the Blue Zone ticket?

Traffic Engineering Company (CET) instructs the driver to purchase the ticket at validated service stations. The Sao Paulo city still alerts against fake beads and provides a website for the driver to inquire if the bead he paid for is true.

5: How does the digital parking meter work?

There is no work of parking meters in Sao Paulo, yet it prevails in other cities of Brazil already and has been set up in Sao Paulo and is about to expand in more cities. This equipment works using a smartphone app, where the driver has to pay the fee by bank debit or credit. To do this, you must get informed about the number of the parking lot and the time your vehicle will be parked there. This tool has been available in the city since the end of 2016

Application Features of the Blue Zone:

• Enter how many minutes are left to complete the parking period;

• Receive alarms that indicate whether parking time is running out or is finished;

• Help the user to activate the CAD through maps and or location by entering the name of the route;

• Offer an alternative way to activate the CAD, such as SMS (torpedoes) or Telephone Answering Centers of the accredited companies, very useful in situations where the user equipment is without data line or with communication faults.

Important Tips:

• Use only CET approved applications, provided by accredited and valid companies in the city of São Paulo;

• Look for official points of sale, registered by accredited companies;

• Always respect signage, regardless of the presence of the Supervisory Agent;

• Verify that the vehicle nameplate has been correctly recorded on the payment receipt;

• Do not accept to pay prices above the official value of the tariff.