By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Coral Gables is introducing another city-wide digital parking program in partnership with ParkMobile, a national provider of mobile payment systems. Beginning this month, drivers can use the ParkMobile app or web browser to pay for parking at more than 5,300 on-street spaces, municipal lots, and the Minorca garage.

While the city has had PayByPhone for some time, the program represents one of the city’s largest mobility upgrades in recent years, adding to a broader effort to modernize transportation and reduce congestion. For residents and visitors, the change means fewer trips to meters, more payment options, and an integrated system that extends across downtown and neighborhood business districts.

A partnership with a national platform

ParkMobile, part of the global mobility company Arrive, has become a widely recognized name in digital parking. The service operates in more than 700 cities across North America and counts over 65 million users. With Coral Gables now on its platform, the city joins a regional and national network of ParkMobile-enabled locations, including other major hubs in South Florida.

“ParkMobile is excited to partner with the City of Coral Gables to provide smarter, more convenient parking options for residents and visitors,” said David Holler, the company’s vice president of sales. “With coverage across both on-street and off-street locations, our platform helps streamline parking operations while delivering a seamless experience.”

The partnership, Holler said, reflects ParkMobile’s commitment to supporting Coral Gables in its efforts to enhance mobility and improve quality of life through innovative technology.

Protecting resident benefits

City officials emphasized that Coral Gables residents will continue to enjoy discounted parking rates. Users registered with the city will maintain access to those benefits under the ParkMobile system, ensuring that existing advantages are not lost as technology shifts.

ParkMobile and PayByPhone users will also be able to use the same location number across the city’s parking network. This alignment is designed to minimize confusion and give residents flexibility between platforms.

Innovation and accessibility

Monica Beltran, director of parking, sustainability, and mobility services for Coral Gables, said the launch reflects the city’s broader goals of accessibility and innovation.

“We’re proud to introduce ParkMobile as an additional parking solution for the City of Coral Gables, supporting our commitment to innovation and accessibility,” Beltran said. “By offering both on-street and off-street mobile payment options, we’re making it easier for residents and visitors to find and pay for parking, reducing congestion, improving the overall experience, and helping people get where they need to go more efficiently.”

Her remarks underscored how parking is becoming part of the city’s larger mobility strategy, which has included investments in bike infrastructure, smart traffic signals, and sustainability programs.

From meters to mobile

The process for using ParkMobile is straightforward. Drivers download the ParkMobile app—available for both iPhone and Android—or visit the company’s mobile website. They then enter the zone number found on signage at the parking location, select the duration of time they wish to park, and press “start parking.”

The platform also offers features such as notifications when a session is about to expire and options to extend parking remotely. For many users, the convenience comes in eliminating the need to return to a meter or carry coins.

A growing footprint in urban mobility

For ParkMobile, the Coral Gables partnership represents both a continuation and an expansion of its reach in Florida. The company has steadily increased its presence in South Florida’s urban centers, where demand for flexible parking solutions is strong.

Nationally, ParkMobile has sought to position itself not only as a payment system but as a partner for cities navigating the challenges of urban growth. By collecting data on parking patterns, the platform provides municipalities with insights into usage, peak demand, and turnover rates—information that can inform future planning.

Convenience without losing the perks

The launch of ParkMobile across the city’s parking system reflects Coral Gables’ investment in digital infrastructure. Officials hope that by streamlining payments, they can reduce congestion, shorten search times for parking, and make it easier for visitors to navigate.

For businesses, the convenience could mean higher turnover of parking spaces and greater access for customers. For residents, the continuation of discounted rates provides reassurance that mobility upgrades will not come at the expense of affordability.

As Coral Gables marks its centennial, the embrace of digital parking reflects both tradition and change. The city, designed with a focus on planning and livability, is now aligning with twenty-first century technology to sustain those values into the future.

If you go

• What: ParkMobile digital parking payments
• Where: 5,300+ on-street spaces, municipal lots, and the Minorca garage
• How: Pay via the ParkMobile app (iOS, Android) or web browser
• Resident benefit: Discounted rates continue with city registration
• Additional info: Visit ParkMobile.io

ParkMobile’s entry into Coral Gables is less about replacing a system than about weaving the city into a broader digital network of mobility. For drivers, the change begins with a phone app; for the city, it is part of a broader effort to make parking not just easier but smarter.