Digital Parking Tech

Vancouver, Canada – PayByPhone, a global leader in mobile parking payments, has signed a strategic global partnership with SKIDATA, an international leader in the field of parking and access control solutions and their management, to join SKIDATA Connect, an all-in-one platform for managing customer experiences in the Parking & Mobility and Sports & Entertainment industries. PayByPhone users will soon be able to enjoy smooth, secure and convenient entry at hundreds of off-street gated garages thanks to SKIDATA‘s extensive global coverage across Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States as the service is rolled out. Jonny Combe, Chief Executive Officer and President, PayByPhone, says, “By establishing long-term partnerships that enable intelligent, connected solutions for our drivers, we deliver on our promise of simplifying our users’ journeys. This strategic collaboration with SKIDATA further enhances that pledge by continuing to significantly expand our global footprint in gated off-street parking and delivering a truly integrated experience though our AutoPay and Pay on Exit functions. Thanks to SKIDATA Connect’s versatility, PayByPhone will be integrated quickly and seamlessly.” The first city to benefit from this new partnership will be Miami, Florida. Christopher Archer, Senior Vice President of North America for SKIDATA, says, “SKIDATA focuses on cultivating global partnerships with best-of-breed companies that share our commitment to creating seamless, intuitive experiences for end users. PayByPhone fits this criterion perfectly. Our newly signed partnership not only enables us to maintain our promise to our clients to enhance SKIDATA’s service offering, but also it ensures a simple, secure, and sustainable solution that continues to reshape the future of visitor management for parking operators.” Carmen Donnell, Managing Director North America for PayByPhone, says, “We’re delighted to be able to launch this partnership first in Miami, where PayByPhone has been a parking provider to Downtown Miami for the last 16 years. By expanding our gated off-street parking presence across locations in both the City of Miami and Miami Beach, we bring additional benefits and convenience to our users, who can use the same app they already trust for on-street parking, which ultimately helps to simplify another important aspect of their journey.” Other locations in the US and Canada as well as those in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom will follow over the next few months. To use AutoPay, drivers simply opt-in in the PayByPhone app before starting their journey. Once activated, they can enter and exit participating garages without taking a ticket, visiting pay stations, or even opening the app. For Pay on Exit, drivers also have to opt-in, can enter and exit participating garages without taking a ticket, and pay via the PayByPhone app before exiting the garage. To learn more about PayByPhone, visit www.paybyphone.com. Follow PayByPhone on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. For more information on SKIDATA, visit, www.skidata.com. ABOUT PAYBYPHONE PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,300 cities and operators across the UK, North America, France, Germany and Switzerland. More than 110 million drivers worldwide have downloaded the PayByPhone app to simplify their parking and vehicle payments to date.  To discover how our products and services can elevate your driving experience, please visit www.paybyphone.com. PayByPhone. We simplify your journey, so you can focus on what matters most. ABOUT SKIDATA SKIDATA is an international leader in access solutions and their management. Worldwide, leading companies and operators of airports, shopping malls, cities, office buildings, hotels, hospitals, universities, ski resorts, stadiums, and amusement parks rely on secure, future-oriented, and reliable access solutions for people and vehicles. SKIDATA is the reliable partner from the first consultation to perfect service. SKIDATA places great value on providing solutions that are intuitive, easy to use, and secure for the end customer. The integrated concepts of SKIDATA solutions help clients optimize performance and maximize profits. SKIDATA is part of ASSA ABLOY Group, the global leader in access solutions. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Press contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com  (+44) 207 692 4964

London, UK – Manchester Airport Group (MAG) and BookFlowGo have been shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious Parking Technology Award at the 2025 British Parking Awards. The recognition comes for MAG and BookFlowGo’s complex migration from its legacy valet technology to ParkIT, BookFlowGo’s cloud-based valet management platform. Working hand-in-hand, MAG and BookFlowGo delivered a 13-month program that migrated seven car parks across Manchester, East Midlands, and London Stansted airports. The project achieved a seamless transition from its legacy system to a cloud-based infrastructure with zero operational downtime and no passenger impact. “We are honored to be named finalists for the Parking Technology Award,” said Oli Ashford, Managing Director of BookFlowGo. “This was an extraordinary project that has transformed valet parking services at all of MAG’s airports. And the benefits will only increase as MAG continues to grow.” Key highlights of the migration include: Zero downtime and no passenger disruption across three of the UK’s busiest airports 17 dry runs and six live cutovers, each managed in live airport environments 100+ staff trained and supported during the rollout Full integration across all self-service kiosks and lockers A modern user interface delivering better staff experience and efficiency MAG’s cloud-based valet platform provides real-time vehicle tracking, operational visibility, and data-driven decision-making, enabling MAG to deliver a more efficient valet service and a better experience for passengers. Customers benefit from a seamless check-in experience and airport managers have full operational visibility at their fingertips. “This is the smoothest landing of a high-profile system change that I’ve seen in my time at MAG,” said David Naughton, Technology Product Manager at Manchester Airport Group. The nomination underscores how strategic collaboration and meticulous planning can deliver transformative results in complex, high-volume environments. The success of this program is now seen as a blueprint for digital upgrades across airports, demonstrating how integrated valet, pre-booking, and self-service solutions can drive both operational excellence and passenger satisfaction. About BookFlowGo BookFlowGo is a leader in digital parking and mobility solutions, providing innovative, cloud-based platforms that transform how operators manage parking, valet, and pre-booking services. Through its ParkIT valet management system, Chauntry Parkspace pre-booking platform, and Future Generation Services (FGS) self-service kiosks, BookFlowGo helps airports and parking operators deliver seamless, data-driven, and customer-focused solutions. The company can be found online at https://bookflowgo.com. About Manchester Airport Group (MAG) Manchester Airport Group (MAG) is the UK’s largest airport group, owning and operating Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports. Serving more than 60 million passengers annually, MAG is committed to delivering world-class airport services, sustainable growth, and enhanced travel experiences. MAG can be found online at https://www.magairports.com. About The British Parking Awards Created and presented by Parking Review magazine, the British Parking Awards are an independent competition. The awards recognize the leading examples of car park management, enforcement, design, and teamwork throughout the UK. For more information, visit https://www.britishparkingawards.uk.  

Accepting payments, both digital and traditional, in ungated parking environments is commonplace in all parking markets. Traditional notions of payment acceptance become more complicated in new, ungated environments due to the still-evolving regulatory and legal environments. Most reputable ungated service firms will indeed indemnify and protect their operators and landlords from many (not all) of these challenges, but that doesn’t mean the landlord doesn’t have affirmative duties in the ecosystem to uphold. The webinar, article, and white paper, “Ungated Environments: Best Practices for Parking Payment Providers,” aim to unpack the still-developing, complex, and detailed expectations that form the foundation of the modern parking environment. Improper signage (content and style), misalignment between digital and traditional payment methods, lack of consistent policies and processes, misleading consumer journeys, and more are just some of the concerns that this webinar/article/whitepaper seeks to educate on. As authors, we are pleased to share our knowledge and experience with the parking, transportation, and mobility community, much of which was gained through extensive observation of trial and error while operating downstream of all parking operators, landlords, payment providers, and other relevant stakeholders conducting business in a parking facility. Click here to read the Parking & Mobility magazine article. Click here to read the white paper. Click here to purchase and watch the webinar. Michael J. Drow, PTMP, is the CEO of PRRS, Inc. He can be reached at mdrow@prrsparking.com. Todd Tucker, PTMP, is the COO for PRRS, Inc. He can be reached at ttucker@prrsparking.com.

Technology has redefined how to improve operational efficiency—especially in the parking industry. Today’s operators are leveraging innovative parking solutions like reservation systems, smart sensors, and dynamic pricing to drive growth and streamline operations. A parking reservation system is one of the most effective ways to increase operational efficiency. These platforms allow drivers to reserve spots in advance, reducing search time, traffic congestion, and emissions. Paired with a parking management system, they offer real-time data, enhance space utilization, and improve the overall customer experience. Modern parking lot management software goes even further by providing powerful data analytics. Operators can now measure operational efficiency by tracking occupancy patterns, peak hours, and customer behavior. These insights help optimize operations and support strategic decisions—like implementing dynamic pricing for maximum profitability and leveraging customer data to develop marketing strategies. Digital payments are another game-changer. A parking management app simplifies transactions with contactless and mobile options, reducing staffing needs while increasing convenience and parking lot efficiency. Layout matters, too. The most efficient parking lot layout is one that integrates guidance systems, sensors, and LPR technology to streamline traffic flow and improve the parking efficiency formula. Finally, visibility is key. Once you’ve upgraded with parking management software and an online parking reservation system, use digital marketing to attract users. Listing your location on Google Maps and using SEO can drive traffic and boost bookings. If you're aiming for the most efficient parking lot and looking to grow your business, now is the time to embrace technology. From a parking reservation system to dynamic pricing and data analytics, each step you take builds long-term operational success. David Sparks is the Chief Marketing Officer for Space Genius. David can be reached at dsparks@spacegenius.com.

Vancouver, Canada – PayByPhone, a global leader in mobile parking payments, has signed a strategic global partnership with evopark, part of Scheidt & Bachmann, to become part of mobility CONNECT, its smart platform. Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, a leader in end-to-end digital parking solutions, is one of the most established brands in the industry and one of the largest digital parking technology providers globally. The agreement covers parking operators managing over 1,500 off-street gated car parks in Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, including key sites at major airports. Jonny Combe, Chief Executive Officer and President, PayByPhone, says, “This partnership with Scheidt & Bachmann significantly expands our gated off-street reach. It enables the best possible integration for our users via our AutoPay function, using the same app they already trust for on-street parking. Motorists will gain seamless access to an extensive network of car parks in each of these countries. Ultimately our goal is to build long-term partnerships that create smart, connected solutions for our drivers, simplifying every step of their journey” To access AutoPay with PayByPhone, motorists simply need to opt in through the app before starting their journey. Once activated, they can enter and exit participating car parks without taking a ticket, visiting payment kiosks, or even opening the app. Combe adds, “The global integration of this strategic agreement means we are able to activate a very large number of car parks at once. We are first launching in Germany with the other countries following in the coming months.” Martin Bemba, Managing Director of Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions GmbH, says, “We are excited to welcome PayByPhone into our mobility CONNECT ecosystem. This partnership is a significant step towards simplifying parking journeys globally, aligning with our vision to create seamless, connected mobility experiences for drivers. By combining PayByPhone’s trusted mobile payment expertise with our end-to-end parking technologies, we are enabling parking operators to offer even more convenience while supporting their digital transformation.” To learn more about PayByPhone, visit www.paybyphone.com. Follow PayByPhone on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. ABOUT PAYBYPHONE PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,400 cities and operators across North America, the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date. To discover how our products and services can elevate your driving experience, please visit www.paybyphone.com PayByPhone. We simplify your journey, so you can focus on what matters most. ABOUT Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions At Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, we bring seamless parking management to facilities of all sizes - from small garages with a single entrance to huge airport complexes. One of our subsidiaries is evopark with its mobility CONNECT network. mobility CONNECT stands for THE platform, with which operators of parking facilities can give access to mobility providers (aka parking apps) and enhance their business with our innovative solutions, we are actively shaping the digital future of parking. Parking in a connected world – mobility CONNECT – connecting the world of parking. Press contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com (+44) 207 692 4964

Denver, CO – PRRS, the leading provider of parking compliance solutions, announced the introduction of Autostart, a groundbreaking AI-powered parking management technology designed to transform the way drivers access and pay for parking. Powered by Paralign’s ARCFlex software and leveraging advanced AI vision, Autostart offers an open network, precise payment activation for gateless, free-flow parking facilities, capturing and verifying license plate data the instant a vehicle enters and exits a facility and automatically charging drivers for the exact amount of time that the parking session lasted via your preferred payment platform. Unlike other payment networks serving the parking industry, this is an open network, which allows parking owners and operators to choose their preferred payment provider for collecting parking fees. “Autostart is a game changer when it comes to parking,” said John Conway, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer for PRRS. “Ticketless parking enables a more efficient, cost-effective, and driver-friendly experience, but it has always been challenging to manage payments fairly and accurately. Autostart solves that problem and makes free-flow parking work for any parking facility.” Autostart provides unmatched convenience and accuracy, including: Instant Vehicle Recognition: The system’s AI vision technology automatically detects and verifies license             plate data upon entry and egress with 99.88% accuracy. Effortless Payment: If the driver is pre-registered with the facility’s preferred payment provider, the system  automatically processes the payment—eliminating the need for tickets, cash, or manual check-ins. Flexible Options for All Parkers: Drivers who aren’t registered with the facility’s preferred payment app can still easily register with that app and pay manually. Real-Time Notifications: For registered users, the facility’s payment provider’s app of choice instantly notifies them when a parking session begins. Precision Billing: Upon exit, Autostart reads the license plate again and activates the payment precisely for the duration of their stay via the facility’s preferred payment app. ARCFlex is already integrated with more than 45 parking payment providers and PRRS is migrating payment providers to Autostart, making it one of the most interoperable and user-friendly parking solutions available. “Until the introduction of Autostart, drivers parking in ticketless parking lots and garages had to pre-pay for a set amount of parking,” said Conway. “The problem is that people don’t always know how long they will park. Meetings run long or people just lose track of time. When that happens parking owners have had to treat overstays as an enforcement issue, sending notices for noncompliance fees. Drivers hate receiving notices for $50 or more. Autostart minimizes this unpleasant pain point.” The launch of Autostart underscores PRRS’ commitment to improving the compliance of facility and simplifying the payment process in free-flow parking facilities and reducing the need to issue notices of noncompliance. More information about Autostart can be found here. PRRS’ main focus is making customer journeys and experiences in parking better while improving compliance with facility rules. With Autostart and the facility’s preferred payment provider, parkers have less hassle to perfectly choose parking times, payment providers have more successful payments, and landowners have improved compliant use of their facility. It’s a win-win-win for all parties! About PRRS Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS) is the leading provider of fully-integrated parking compliance and customer support services to the parking and other industries. PRRS today provides services to over 600 parking locations and proudly represents national, regional, and local parking operators throughout the United States. Our client owners and parking operators use our monitoring and compliance services in all types of properties, including commercial lots and garages, municipal facilities, college and university facilities, airports, hospitals, commercial properties, and residential buildings. PRRS creates exceptional value for its parking operator clients through increased overall customer compliance, enhanced visibility into operating activity and usage, while delivering exceptional customer service. For more information, please visit https://prrsparking.com. About Paralign Paralign is a technology leader dedicated to creating smarter, more efficient parking solutions. With a focus on innovation, seamless integration, and user experience, Paralign delivers cutting-edge products that enhance mobility and improve operational performance for parking owners and operators worldwide, including commercial campuses, residential complexes, colleges and universities, industrial sites, resorts, and airports. For more information, please visit https://paralign.co.

Vancouver, Canada – PayByPhone, the global leader in mobile parking payments, announces the Parking and Transportation Services department at the University of Saskatchewan has signed up to the company’s multi-award-winning tree planting initiative, Meters for Trees, effective immediately. The University of Saskatchewan is the first Canadian organization to sign up to Meters for Trees. Carmen Donnell, Managing Director North America for PayByPhone, says, “We’re very happy to welcome the University of Saskatchewan, the first Canadian organization, to Meters for Trees. It is a meaningful step toward building a greener tomorrow and supports the University in furthering its sustainability initiatives by removing parking hardware and planting trees.” PayByPhone has been the parking payments provider for the University since 2018 across its campus locations. Under the terms of Meters for Trees, PayByPhone will plant 50 trees in 2025 in Alberta, Canada, through PayByPhone’s partner, veritree, an organization that connects businesses with verified tree planting projects to elevate global reforestation. In addition to planting trees with veritree, PayByPhone will contribute funds to plant trees on campus. Dwayne Kawchuk, Manager for Parking and Transportation Services, University of Saskatchewan, says, “Meters for Trees is a meaningful and easy way for us to move toward an eco-friendlier future. By encouraging mobile parking payments, we ensure we are not only addressing local air quality but also supporting our own environment goals through local tree planting.” Meters for Trees was first launched in the UK in 2019, as part of its broader environmental campaigns including Green December. These initiatives help forward-thinking cities, universities, and parking operators reduce their costly parking hardware as they opt for a mobile app-based parking service. Over the past five years, PayByPhone’s environmental campaigns have collectively planted over 225,000 trees globally. Meters for Trees is a multi-award-winning initiative, having won 12 international awards, including a Global Gold Award at the 2019 Green World Environment Awards in the Carbon Reduction and Local Authorities categories, the Green Champion Award in Carbon Reduction at the 2019 Green Apple Environment Awards, and the Environmental Initiative Award at the 2020 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards. For more information about Meters for Trees, please visit http://www.paybyphone.com/parking-operators/meters-for-trees  ABOUT PAYBYPHONE PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,400 cities and operators across North America, the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date. To discover how our products and services can elevate your driving experience, please visit www.paybyphone.com PayByPhone. We simplify your journey, so you can focus on what matters most. Press contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com  (+44) 207 692 4964

As digital payments surge in ungated parking environments, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance has become more vital than ever. This white paper outlines key best practices for parking operators and payment providers to prevent consumer confusion and mitigate legal risk.

Dallas, TX — JustPark, a leading parking technology platform and partner to the biggest event destinations in the U.S., announces the acquisition of Oobeo, a subsidiary of Toledo Ticket, fast-growth startup and innovator in valet and permit management, and contactless parking payment software. The acquisition represents a key milestone in JustPark’s North American growth strategy and paves way for more innovative products that work seamlessly across the fragmented mobility ecosystem spanning commercial operators, municipalities, venues, as well as public and private institutions. Oobeo’s tech stack is frictionless, designed to protect revenue, reduce fraud and provide valet, on-demand payments and permits that solve evolving daily parking needs. Its intuitive mobile-first platform is already capturing high demand among major industry operators and serving more than 6 million users. Combining Oobeo’s platform with JustPark’s business that powers over $1bn in booking volume for more than 40 million cars across North America’s largest venues will expand cost-effective, scalable everyday parking technology to operators, municipalities, real estate developers, as well as local institutions e.g. universities.  Charley DeBow, Managing Director of North America at JustPark said: “As cities grow and evolve, so will the demand for everyday parking products that are fit for the smartphone generation. Oobeo has all the right ingredients and talent to help us continue innovating our product suite. We have known Mitch for several years and have consistently been impressed by his work ethic and exceptional leadership. We’re excited to join forces and bring faster, smarter parking to even more destinations across North America." As part of the acquisition, Oobeo’s CEO Mitch Carter, joins JustPark as General Manager-Commercial Solutions and will be instrumental in scaling the company’s U.S. footprint. Mitch Carter added: “Just like our team at Oobeo, JustPark has built a thriving business by removing universal pain points in parking and empowering venues to deliver profitable, best-in-class visitor experiences. With a shared mission and a joint approach, there is a lot more we can achieve in bringing the parking industry to the forefront of innovation and helping it stay ahead of evolving commercial and operational challenges."     About JustPark   JustPark is reshaping the parking industry with faster, smarter solutions for drivers and destinations. We make it easier for drivers to find, book and pay for parking, whether it's at a venue, on the street or on a private driveway. For operating partners, we empower them to deliver best-in-class parking management services. JustPark powers over $1Bn in booking volume for over 550 customers in the U.S., parking more than 40 million cars each year. In the UK, more than 14 million drivers use the JustPark app to reserve parking. Our platform equips operators with the tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and unlock actionable insights. With decades of innovation, JustPark is redefining parking, one space at a time. www.justpark.com

Vancouver, Canada – Paying for parking for residents and visitors in Oceanside, CA, has just gotten easier thanks to the simplicity of cashless parking. The City has partnered with PayByPhone, a global leader in mobile parking payments, to roll-out its services where paid parking is required involving more than 1,600 off-street parking lot stalls, with plans to implement toward on-street spaces in the future. Jessica Farrell, Parking Enforcement Supervisor, City of Oceanside, says, “We are delighted to offer residents and visitors to our beautiful City the secure, fast option of cashless parking for the first time. People no longer have to remember to have their bank cards, credit cards or cash to pay for parking, or to rush back to their vehicles to add more time to avoid getting a citation, or worse, cut short an enjoyable beach day because they don’t have any more money on hand. PayByPhone offers our residents and visitors great flexibility when they park. They can start and extend their parking sessions in a matter of seconds through the PayByPhone app, so they can fully enjoy vacation-mode for as long as they had planned when visiting some of our key attractions like the iconic Oceanside Pier, the Supergirl Pro Jam or any of the other fun events held on our beaches.” Parkers using PayByPhone also have access to the app’s Maps and the Nearby Parking features. The Maps feature allows them to locate parking before they leave for their destination and to pin their vehicle location onto the map once they have parked. The Nearby Parking feature instantly provides them with the closest PayByPhone parking location number. And the app is available in 14 languages, making it inclusive for the many tourists who visit the City. Carmen Donnell, Managing Director NA for PayByPhone, says, “We are thrilled to launch PayByPhone in the City of Oceanside. We are very happy PayByPhone is making the parking experience as hassle-free as possible for residents and visitors to this beautiful coastal area. People have busy lives so now they don’t need to stress about carrying money to park. Our app simplifies things so they can get on with what matters most to them, without having to worry about parking. We encourage drivers to download the PayByPhone app now, so they can use the service immediately. Registration takes less than 30 seconds.” For a full list of areas where PayByPhone is available, and to start using it today, download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store or visit the PayByPhone website www.paybyphone.com. ABOUT PAYBYPHONE PayByPhone is a global leader in mobile parking payments. We simplify the journeys for millions of people through our smart, intuitive mobile payment technology and exciting features. We work with over 1,400 cities and operators across North America, the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. More than 95 million drivers worldwide have trusted us with their payments to date. To discover how our products and services can elevate your driving experience, please visit www.paybyphone.com PayByPhone. We simplify your journey, so you can focus on what matters most. Press Contact: Sarah Claridge Communications Consultant Indaba sarah.claridge@weareindaba.com (+44) 207 692 4964

Parking has long been managed through fixed rules: pay before you stay, don’t exceed the time limit, and expect a citation if you do. But that model rarely reflects how people actually behave. The shift toward behavioral parking is about bridging that gap—creating systems that respond to real usage rather than rigid expectations. At the heart of behavioral parking is one simple idea: charge based on how people actually use the space. Instead of guessing how long they’ll stay or rushing back to feed a meter, drivers park and go about their business. The system tracks their actual behavior—start time, end time, duration—and charges accordingly. This shift solves a long-standing issue: underpayment and non-compliance that doesn’t always come from bad intent, but from confusion, unpredictability, or inflexible systems. Rather than focusing on enforcement and punishment, behavioral models recover revenue by adapting to the parker—not the other way around. In environments like universities, city centers, and hospitality, where stay durations vary widely, this approach offers fairness and financial sustainability. Operators gain more accurate data, fewer disputes, and ultimately, better compliance without increasing friction. Behavioral parking is not just about technology—it’s about trust. When people feel that parking is transparent and reasonable, they're more likely to engage honestly with it. And when systems are built around real-life behavior, everyone benefits….. We’re no longer just managing space. We are managing people…and adjusting to real behavior to reduce violations. Trystan Henry, PECP, is the Vice President of Business Development for ParkEngage. Trystan can be reached at trystan.henry@parkengage.com.

California’s Vehicle Code, which sets the rules for driving and stopping vehicles throughout the state, has tens of thousands of sections. Not surprisingly, some of those sections are relics of the time they were adopted, and do not reflect the evolution—or even allow the use—of new technologies. One example is Section 22508(e).  Until December 31, 2024, this section required cities to use physical parking meters or pay stations if they wanted to charge for on-street parking.  Thanks to SB 532, sponsored by State Senator Scott Wiener, three cities (Santa Monica, Long Beach, and San Francisco) may now pilot paid parking without a physical meter or pay station.  https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB532.  In the last few years, mobile and online payment have exploded for products from coffee to concert tickets to car insurance.  More than 16% of all retail products are purchased online today, an increase from around 7% ten years ago.  https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_ecommerce_sales_as_percent_retail_sales. And according to a November 2024 report from the Pew Research Center: “The vast majority of Americans – 98% – now own a cellphone of some kind,” and 91% own a smart phone.  https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/.  SB 532 reflects the reality of how payments are made in 2025, and allows cities in California to keep up with the private sector—not to mention other cities around the country (like Doral, Florida and Columbus, Ohio) that offer mobile-only parking payment zones.  And it does all this while respecting California values, requiring an “Equitable and Accessible Parking Cash Payment Plan” to ensure non-mobile phone users have a way to pay with cash. Allowing cities to modernize their payment systems saves money on infrastructure purchase and maintenance.  Meters and pay stations are expensive to procure and keep in good working order, and can be targets for vandalism and fraud.  While meters and pay stations may ultimately prove to be an indispensable part of an equitable and robust on-street parking payment system, allowing cities to experiment with modern technology can only lead to improvements for customers and the public.  It will be fascinating to see how SB 532’s three pilot cities (and others that may be added) exercise this new opportunity.  And the answers will come sooner than we think: their pilot authority expires in 2033. Hank Willson is a Parking Policy Manager for the City and County of San Francisco, California (SFMTA). Hank can be reached at Hank.Willson@sfmta.com.