Metropolis Parking is revolutionizing the way people park their cars in cities across the United States.
Using cutting-edge computer vision technology, Metropolis allows drivers to simply drive into a parking garage, park their car, and walk away – without ever having to pull out a ticket or pay at a machine.
It’s a seamless, hassle-free experience that’s winning over drivers from coast to coast.
How Metropolis Parking Works
Here’s how it works: When you first use a Metropolis-powered parking garage, you register your vehicle by providing your name, license plate number, phone number, and payment method through the Metropolis app. Then, every time you drive into a Metropolis garage, cameras automatically recognize your license plate and start tracking your parking session.
When you’re ready to leave, you simply drive out of the garage. Metropolis automatically charges the credit card on file for the exact amount of time you park.
No more fumbling for cash or waiting in line at a payment kiosk! You’ll receive a text message with your parking details and a receipt via email.
It’s a system that’s designed to save time and reduce stress. “Our goal is to make parking as easy as possible,” says Metropolis CEO Alex Israel. “We want you to be able to focus on your destination, not worry about the hassle of parking.”
The Meteoric Rise of Metropolis Parking
Metropolis Parking has seen explosive growth since its founding in 2017. The company now operates in over 40 markets, including major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Nashville, Austin, Seattle, and more. And it’s adding new locations all the time as it partners with more parking operators and real estate owners.
In October 2023, Metropolis made headlines when it announced a massive $1.7 billion funding round to acquire SP Plus, one of the largest parking operators in the country. This acquisition will add over 3,300 parking facilities to the Metropolis network, significantly expanding its reach.
The company has now raised over $1.9 billion in total funding from major investors like Eldridge Industries, 3L Capital, BDT & MSD Partners, Vista Credit Partners, and Temasek. This war chest has allowed Metropolis to quickly expand its footprint through acquisitions of established parking operators like Premier Parking and SP Plus.
The Metropolis Parking App: Your Key to the City
The Metropolis Parking app is the key to the company’s seamless parking experience. Available for iOS and Android, the app allows you to manage your account, view parking history, and even pay for parking at meters in some cities.
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One neat feature of the app is that it provides real-time pricing information. Before you even pull into a Metropolis garage, you can see the current rates and estimate how much your parking stay will cost.
The app also allows you to extend your parking session remotely if your plans change.”We want to give drivers as much information and control as possible,” says Metropolis CTO Travis Kell. “With our app, you always know what you’re going to pay and can adjust your plans accordingly.”
The People Behind Metropolis Parking
Metropolis Parking, also known as Metropolis Technologies, was founded in 2017 by Alex Israel, Travis Kell, Peter Fisher, and Courtney Fukuda. Israel, who previously founded and sold the parking app ParkMe, now serves as CEO of Metropolis.
Other key members of the leadership team include:
- Travis Kell, Co-Founder and CTO
- Peter Fisher, Co-Founder and COO
- Courtney Fukuda, Co-Founder and VP of Product
- Ari Ojalvo, CFO
- Megan Longo, VP of Marketing
- Jono Remington-Hobbs, VP of Engineering
Together, this team is working to transform the parking experience in cities around the world. “We have an incredible opportunity to make a real impact on urban mobility,” says Israel. “By making parking easier, we can help reduce congestion, emissions, and stress for millions of people.”
Navigating Parking Violations with Metropolis
One common question about Metropolis Parking is what happens if you receive a parking violation and don’t pay it. According to the company’s website, failure to pay a ticket in a timely manner “may result in Metropolis Payments taking additional action, including, but not limited to, referring your case to collections or other legal processes.”However, some drivers have complained that Metropolis’ enforcement tactics are overly aggressive.
In Nashville, one news report found that the company was charging up to $100 for parking violations – significantly more than the city’s typical $25 parking tickets.
Metropolis says it prefers to issue fines rather than towing or booting vehicles, which it sees as more of an inconvenience to drivers.
However, the high cost of violations has rubbed some customers the wrong way. The company does allow you to appeal a ticket through its website or app if you believe it was issued in error.
The Future of Parking is Metropolis
Despite some growing pains, Metropolis Parking is clearly on to something big. The company’s vision of seamless, automated parking is resonating with drivers and investors alike.
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As more and more people move to cities, the demand for convenient, stress-free parking will only continue to grow. With its advanced technology, expanding network of locations, and all-star team, Metropolis is well-positioned to lead the charge.”We’re just getting started,” says Israel. “Our goal is to make parking a non-event – something you never have to think about again.
We won’t stop until we’ve achieved that for every driver in every city around the world.”So the next time you’re driving in a city, keep an eye out for the Metropolis logo. It just might be your ticket to a better parking experience.
FAQs
1. What is Metropolis Parking?
Metropolis is an AI-powered parking platform that aims to revolutionize the parking industry.
2. How does Metropolis’ technology work?
The company uses computer vision systems to allow for a seamless “drive in and drive out” parking experience.
3. What does the acquisition of SP Plus mean for Metropolis?
The acquisition significantly expands Metropolis’ footprint in the parking industry, adding over two million parking spaces and more than 3,300 parking facilities.
4. Are there any other applications for Metropolis’ technology?
Yes, the company sees potential applications in gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, and even retail stores.
5. When is the acquisition expected to close?
The deal is expected to close in 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and the approval of SP Plus’ stockholders.
