Flowbird North America, the leader in curbside management and urban mobility solutions, has released Pay by Text, its latest advancement in customer convenience. Pay by Text is an easy-to-use web-based solution that allows drivers to pay for their parking session directly from their phone without creating an account or downloading an app.
Flowbird’s latest feature adds to the company’s portfolio of payments options, providing parkers with a new way to pay in today’s contactless environment. Here’s how it works:
Drivers text a code to the number provided on the sign or sticker displayed at the parking location. A QR code can also be included on the signage, if desired. After drivers text the number or scan the QR code, they immediately receive a secure link to follow in order to input their parking details. They enter either their license plate or parking space number, parking duration and payment information. A confirmation is sent and their parking session begins. Information is sent to parking enforcement which can verify the vehicle is in compliance. That’s it! There is no need to create an account, download an app, or visit a kiosk.
Like all Flowbird payment solutions, the Pay by Text solution is PCI-DSS certified, giving assurance to parkers that their data is protected. Once the parking session is complete, the payment information is encrypted and the card data is not stored by Flowbird. To provide the parker with future convenience, their mobile device can store the card number in an encrypted manner so the number does not have to be re-entered the next time a parking session is performed.
By offering the customer multiple options to pay, cities and universities can help motorists stay in compliance with parking enforcement, reducing the number of citations and potentially negative parking experiences. Flowbird provides clients with stickers and signage to promote the solution and drive adoption.
The Pay by Text feature is configurable to be used in either a pay-by-plate or pay-by-space parking system. The feature can be used as a stand-alone parking payment method or in conjunction with parking meters, kiosks or parking apps.
Pay by Text data is sent in real-time to Flowbird’s intelligent data management suite where it can be integrated with other payment methods. Using the combined data, parking staff can analyze sessions in real time such as parking activity by zone, by date, by time of day, and more.
This new payment option is a strong complement to Flowbird’s other payment solutions which include solar powered pay stations and parking meters, digital permit system, and the Flowbird App, which has experienced tremendous growth, and can be found in over 900 cities and universities around the globe.
“We are very excited about the launch of the Pay by Text service,” said Benoit Reliquet, President of Flowbird North America. “The addition of this feature rounds out our payments offering, and gives people even more convenience and choice when they park.”
Julianne Wilhelm is marketing manager for Flowbird. She can be reached at julianne.wilhelm@flowbird.group
