{{Short description|Parking payment mobile application}} {{Infobox company | name = ParkMobile | logo = | logo_size = 180px | caption = | type = Private | industry = Parking | genre = | foundation = {{start date and age|2008}} | founder = Albert Bogaard | location = Atlanta, GA | hq_location_country = United States | locations = | area_served = North America | products = | services = Parking payments and reservations | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | owner = Arrive | website = {{URL|https://parkmobile.io/}} }}
'''ParkMobile''' is a mobile and web app providing parking payments in North America.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ParkMobile App Hits the 30 Million User Milestone as Demand for Contactless Payments Increases |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/parkmobile-app-hits-30-million-110000884.html |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.yahoo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, users can pay for on-street and off-street parking via app on their smartphone, web browser, or through calling a phone number.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rodler |first=Liza |date=2019-06-28 |title=When Is Being Together Worth $5.50 an Hour? Please Solve |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/style/modern-love-parking-cost-economics.html |access-date=2023-01-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ParkMobile also offers parking reservations at stadiums or venues for concerts and sporting events, and in metro area garages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaming America |date=October 19, 2022 |title=ParkMobile teams up with Oak View Group to provide digital payment parking options |url=https://gamingamerica.com/news/6169/parkmobile-teams-up-with-oak-view-group-to-provide-digital-payment-parking-options |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=Gaming America}}</ref>
== History == ParkMobile was founded in the United States in 2008 by Albert Bogaard after originally starting in the Netherlands. The initial product served only zone (on-demand) parkers and payment for the parking spot was made via a phone call through an IVR system.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Rachel Tobin |title=Local lot owners call for pay-by-phone parking |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/local-lot-owners-call-for-pay-phone-parking/DDFrOd8bDjiAsQWV980vTO/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>
In 2009, the ParkMobile app was released and the product launched in its first city, Grand Rapids, Michigan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harnick |first=Chris |title=Parking meter payments go mobile in Grand Rapids, MI |url=https://www.retaildive.com/ex/mobilecommercedaily/parking-payment-goes-mobile-in-grand-rapids |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.retaildive.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Parking payments have since been accepted through a user's account by connecting a credit card. ParkMobile deployed in Washington, D.C., in 2011.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Jouvenal |first=Justin |date=2011-04-20 |title=D.C. rolls out pay-by-phone parking meter system |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-rolls-out-pay-by-phone-parking-meter-system/2011/04/20/AFg9pSEE_story.html |access-date=2022-08-24 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> As of 2023, ParkMobile now has over 50 million users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-28 |title=Fort Collins to implement use of new parking app July 1 |url=https://www.reporterherald.com/2022/06/28/fort-collins-to-implement-use-of-new-parking-app-july-1 |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Loveland Reporter-Herald |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=ParkMobile CEO Jeff Perkins to step down a year after taking role |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2022/09/08/parkmobile-ceo-jeff-perkins-steps-down.html |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref>
Parking reservations were introduced in 2017, allowing users to reserve parking in advance.<ref name=":5" /> In 2018, the company recapitalized with BMW as the shareholder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |date=2018-01-16 |title=BMW acquires Parkmobile parking app to help tackle city traffic |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/16/bmw-acquires-parkmobile-parking-app-to-help-tackle-city-traffic/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> ParkMobile was then acquired by a joint venture with BMW and Daimler.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BMW and Daimler agree to merge mobility service businesses |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/28/bmw-and-daimler-agree-to-merge-mobility-service-businesses/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=TechCrunch |date=28 March 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> Under this joint venture, ParkMobile parking payment functionality was available and integrated with BMW's navigation system in many of its 2018 models.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taub |first=Eric A. |date=2017-11-30 |title=The Technological Race to Find You a Place to Park |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/business/car-parking-apps.html |access-date=2023-01-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> EasyPark Group, the Swedish-based parking solutions company, acquired ParkMobile in 2021 and is the current owner rebranded as Arrive.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-03-09 |title=EasyPark Group Announces Intent to Acquire ParkMobile |url=https://www.parking.net/parking-news/easypark-group-and-parkmobile-and-park-now-group/easypark-group-announces-intent-to-acquire-parkmobile |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.parking.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ehlinger |first=Maija |date=2021-03-09 |title=ParkMobile Announces Plans To Be Acquired By European Parking Group EasyPark |url=https://hypepotamus.com/feature/parkmobile-easypark/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Hypepotamus |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, ParkMobile launched in the City of Boston with a city-wide parking app, ParkBoston, powered by ParkMobile.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-14 |title=Upgraded ParkBoston app launches Monday: What you need to know |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/new-version-of-parkboston-app-august-15-2022-launch/40890982 |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=WCVB |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robisheaux |first=Collin |last4=Comments |title=City of Boston updates parking app with help from mobile developers - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/22/business/city-boston-updates-parking-app-with-help-mobile-developers/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=BostonGlobe.com |publisher=Boston Globe |language=en-US |publication-date=August 22, 2022}}</ref>
== Operations ==
=== Products === [[File:ParkMobile sign Glenside PA.jpeg|thumb|right|Sign for ParkMobile in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania]] ParkMobile's product offerings include zone (on-demand) parking payments, parking reservations, and a self-service reporting engine. Zone parking is the company's most widely used service. Users can use the app on their smartphone to pay parking fees.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-29 |title=Stone Harbor issues 17 times more parking tickets this May than a year ago — and the police chief has no remorse |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/stone-harbor-parking-tickets-parkmobile-app-new-jersey/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=PhillyVoice |language=english}}</ref> In 2017, ParkMobile began offering parking reservations.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Beilin |first=Holly |date=2017-05-24 |title=With Reservations Rollout, Parkmobile Looks Toward Parking Domination |url=https://hypepotamus.com/news/parkmobile-reservations/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Hypepotamus |language=en-US}}</ref> The service is provided in addition to on-demand parking options at stadiums and venues, as well as metro area parking garages. After launching the reservations feature, ParkMobile became the first mobile parking app provider in North America to have a consolidated app with both on-demand and reservations parking in one.
ParkMobile 360, the company's self-service management and reporting platform for operators, launched in 2018.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ulinskaite |first=Dominyka |date=2018-11-08 |title=ParkMobile Launches New ParkMobile 360™ Solution |url=https://www.parking.net/parking-news/parkmobile/parkmobile-360-solution |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.parking.net |language=en}}</ref> It is a web-based application for parking operators to manage parking inventory, adjust rates, create special parking events, and track analytics.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Jeff |date=2020-10-12 |title=ParkMobile 360 Platform to Consolidate Analytics and Rate Management Across Parking Technologies for Fresno, Clearwater, Orlando, and Chattanooga |url=https://www.parking.net/parking-news/parkmobile/360-platform-to-consolidate-analytics-and-rate-management- |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=www.parking.net |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, ParkMobile began offering an option to pay for parking with Google through integrating the ParkMobile experience with Google Maps<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haselton |first=Todd |title=Google Maps now lets you pay for parking without leaving the app |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/17/google-maps-now-lets-you-pay-for-parking-without-leaving-the-app.html |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=CNBC |date=17 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trop |first=Jaclyn |date=2022-03-10 |title=Google lets Android users pay for parking with their voice |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/10/google-lets-android-users-pay-for-parking-with-voice/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, ParkMobile launched its web application, allowing users to complete their parking transactions directly from the mobile website without having to download the app or have an account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Jeff |date=2021-03-02 |title=ParkMobile Launches New Mobile Web App for Contactless Parking Payments |url=https://www.parking.net/parking-news/parkmobile/launches-new-mobile-web-app |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=www.parking.net |language=en}}</ref> ParkMobile integrates with parking gate equipment so customers can use their app to pay for parking and scan to enter and exit the garage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=John |title=Covid—And a New Partnership—Help Push ParkMobile Into the Garage |url=https://www.digitaltransactions.net/covid-and-a-new-partnership-help-push-parkmobile-into-the-garage/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Digital Transactions |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Locations === ParkMobile has over 50 million users across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-21 |title=ParkMobile expands to Puerto Rico with contactless parking at Distrito T-Mobile |url=https://newsismybusiness.com/parkmobile-expands-to-puerto-rico-with-contactless-parking-at-distrito-t-mobile/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=News is My Business |language=en-US}}</ref> The app is available in over 550 cities in the U.S. and over 150 colleges and universities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rysak |first=Melissa |date=2022-07-11 |title=University of Louisville Expands ParkMobile Partnership |url=https://www.parking-mobility.org/2022/07/11/university-of-louisville-expands-parkmobile-partnership/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=IPMI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UTEP, ParkMobile to Offer Reserved Parking for Campus Events |url=https://www.utep.edu/newsfeed/utep-parkmobile-to-offer-reserved-parking-for-campus-events.html |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.utep.edu |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Controversies== ===Predatory towing and excessive ticketing===
Since all paid parking sessions from a single supplier are able to be viewed together, the ease of viewing and enforcing parking violations has caused controversy. Parking Enforcement Services in Birmingham, Alabama, has been the subject complaints by users of the ParkMobile app who had paid for a parking session and still had their vehicle towed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gann |first=Heather |date=2023-06-23 |title=Birmingham tow truck driver tells woman on crutches to 'park on the street next time' |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2023/06/birmingham-tow-truck-driver-advises-woman-on-crutches-to-park-on-the-street-next-time.html |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=al |language=en}}</ref> Customers often use old or expired license plates and forget to update to the correct number, or mistype when entering their information into the ParkMobile app. The complaints are that the towing companies offer no lenience for these mistakes. They return to their car as the session expires, and find their car has been towed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title=Birmingham City Council to host Town Hall addressing aggressive towing concerns |url=https://www.cbs42.com/news/birmingham-city-council-to-host-town-hall-addressing-aggressive-towing-concerns/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=CBS 42 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Additionally, other municipality across the country have received complaints about excessive parking ticket issuing when inputting their information incorrectly in the ParkMobile app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seagraves |first=Torie |date=2023-06-09 |title=ParkMobile Causes Problems for Drivers at More Beach Towns |url=https://www.wrde.com/news/parkmobile-causes-problems-for-drivers-at-more-beach-towns/article_5f712840-070c-11ee-b8e8-53c75ec5f722.html |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=CoastTV |language=en}}</ref> In Stone Harbor, New Jersey, parking ticket violations increased by over 1,600% from the previous year since launching with the ParkMobile app.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=NJ.com |first=Amira Sweilem {{!}} NJ Advance Media for |date=2023-07-12 |title=Jersey Shore town wrote 1 year's worth of parking tickets last month after app switch |url=https://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/2023/07/jersey-shore-town-wrote-1-years-worth-of-parking-tickets-last-month-after-app-switch.html |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=nj |language=en}}</ref> Police officers refute complaints of being "too strict" on writing tickets by admitting the ParkMobile system allows officers to "more seamlessly enforce" the city's parking laws.<ref name=":2" />
===Data security breach=== In March 2021, ParkMobile suffered a cybersecurity incident "linked to a vulnerability in a third-party software," potentially exposing users' email addresses, phone numbers, and license plate numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-12 |title=ParkMobile Breach Exposes License Plate Data, Mobile Numbers of 21M Users – Krebs on Security |url=https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/04/parkmobile-breach-exposes-license-plate-data-mobile-numbers-of-21m-users/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> ParkMobile responded by launching an investigation and notifying law enforcement authorities and affected municipalities. The investigation concluded "no sensitive data or Payment Card Information was affected" but ParkMobile confirmed that basic account information, such as license plate numbers and possibly email addresses or phone numbers, was accessed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-01 |title=Cashless Parking Vendor ParkMobile Suffers Data Breach |url=https://www.govtech.com/security/cashless-parking-vendor-parkmobile-suffers-data-breach |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=GovTech |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Parking companies Category:Companies based in Atlanta Category:American companies established in 2008 Category:Mobile applications