The cities of Atlanta and Albuquerque have partnered with Parkmobile USA Inc. to let residents and visitors conduct their parking transactions by mobile phone.

Parkmobile claims that the new service saves residents and visitors time and money by letting them use their mobile phone to pay for parking. Parkmobile has launched a mobile Web site and an application for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch, with applications for Android and BlackBerry coming soon.

“Our strategy is to offer our pay by phone parking service with the city of Atlanta  and Albuquerque as well to make parking simple for customers in addition to providing a superior customer experience,” said Sara Engel, marketing manager at Parkmobile, Atlanta. “Using the iPhone app is fast and easy.

“We have a comprehensive targeted marketing strategy for all types of users,” he said. “Our pay-by-phone parking service is suitable for all customers.”

Parkmobile is a global provider of digital parking services. The firm’s product offerings include cashless mobile payments for on-and off-street parking, digital parking permits and real-time enforcement.

Albuquerque
Currently Parkmobile is available at all Park-It-Place locations surrounding the University of New Mexico campus.

Parkmobile implemented the mobile payment service at all Park-It-Place locations in the downtown area starting April 15.

To use the service, customers can register by calling toll-free, 877-PARK-715, download the free mobile application by visiting http://www.parkmobile.com, or iPhone users can visit the iTunes App Store.

Applications for Research In Motion’s BlackBerry and Google’s Android will be launching over the next few months in May and June, BlackBerry first and Droid following shortly after.

After setting up the account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone.

Customers can also select the option to receive text-message alerts and reminders 15 minutes before their time expires.

Atlanta
Parkmobile’s service has been implemented in eight Lanier Parking Solutions lots located in the downtown and midtown area of Atlanta.

Customers can now pay for parking with their mobile phone instead of digging for loose change.

This is Parkmobile’s second implementation in the Atlanta area.

Currently, Parkmobile’s service can be used at all on-street metered parking in Atlantic Station.

Parkmobile’s service will roll out in three phases. Phase one includes Peachtree St., Marietta St., Spring St., Ralph McGill Blvd., Third St. and West Peachtree St.

Consumers can pay via Parkmobile using credit cards in a PCI DSS level 1 complaint process.

“Later this year we are going to offer customers multiple payments options that are currently being used in Europe, such as direct debit and prepaid,” Ms. Engel said. “Our marketing tactics for the iPhone app is diverse.

“We use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs, and we also market to the business to government segments and business to business segments,” she said. “We are currently doing social media and online marketing.

“In the future, we plan to incorporate local print and radio tactics as well.”