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Case Study: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

From pause to progress: modernizing parking enforcement across one of the nation’s largest transit networks.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is one of the largest transit systems in the U.S., serving nearly four million people across five counties in the Philadelphia region, with connections to Delaware and New Jersey. SEPTA operates an extensive network of regional rail, subway, trolley, and bus services, making it a critical mobility provider.

For many commuters, their journey begins and ends at a SEPTA parking lot or garage, making it a crucial touchpoint in their daily routine. A smooth parking experience can be the difference between a stress-free commute and a missed train. As part of its mission to deliver safe, accessible, and dependable transportation, SEPTA manages parking at 138 facilities, including three garages and, with recent additions, 99 paid surface lots.

Before 2024, SEPTA faced longstanding challenges in its commuter parking operations. Aging infrastructure, cash-only payments, and manual enforcement using slot boxes created long lines, limited compliance, and ultimately, revenue loss. While these issues predated the COVID-19 pandemic, they were further entrenched by a four-year moratorium on parking fees, which suspended revenue collection and delayed the necessary upgrades.

As a result of the pause, a significant financial gap emerged. Today, revenue from paid parking and enforcement citations is helping to close that gap by supporting SEPTA’s core transit services, contributing to the upkeep of parking facilities, and reinforcing the agency’s broader goal of delivering reliable regional mobility.

Scope of SEPTA’s service in the Philadelphia region

A 4-Year Moratorium, Manual Processes, and No Technology

Prior to its upgrade initiative, SEPTA’s parking program lacked modern payment kiosks, mobile payment, enforcement technology, and real-time, integrated data: components that define today’s most efficient parking ecosystems. Without them, operations were slow, disconnected, and frustrating for both commuters and staff, resulting in missed revenue and a poor parking experience. The system relied on cash-only slot boxes at 84 lots, charging $1 per day. Enforcement officers issued citations manually and lacked the real-time evidence that technology provides to help determine when issuing a violation was appropriate. Meanwhile, administrative staff had no visibility into compliance levels, officer activity, or lot-by-lot performance, limiting their ability to monitor, support, or improve the program.

Ken Kalczewski, SEPTA’s Director of Project Integration, helped lead the transition away from this outdated system. “From no enforcement technology, slot boxes, and no metrics to a high-tech enforcement system with Park Loyalty, it’s been a dramatic shift for us,” he said.

Enforcement Modernization with Park Loyalty

SEPTA enforcement officer during training

In 2024, SEPTA launched a comprehensive parking modernization initiative beginning with a competitive RFP process. The awarded vendor, Flowbird (now Arrive), was tasked with delivering a complete parking management ecosystem. As part of the integrated solution, Park Loyalty partnered with Flowbird and SEPTA to provide enforcement and citation processing technology through its Enforce Pro and Process Pro platforms.

This combination equipped SEPTA’s team with the tools needed to issue citations efficiently in the field, supported by a back-office system for citation processing, compliance tracking, appeals, and payment resolution. The entire system was rolled out under the SEPTA Park brand, with phased deployment beginning in Fall 2024 and full enforcement operational by November.

Officers were equipped with mobile handheld devices running the Enforce Pro application with integrated license plate recognition (LPR) technology to verify plate status in real time. Officers gained access to tools for digital chalking, image capture, GPS tagging, and on-the-spot validation of payment data. These features allowed officers to issue tickets with greater confidence and consistency, while also capturing the supporting evidence required for compliance and appeals.

“The system is extremely user-friendly, and our officers were able to pick it up and master the application quickly. The efficiency gains have far exceeded expectations. Officers are writing tickets in around 27 seconds!”— Ken Kalczewski, Director of Project Integration, SEPTA

On the back end, Process Pro manages citation data flow from the field through to resolution. This included automated notice generation, online adjudication, and payment portals. Together, the systems replaced SEPTA’s previously manual, fragmented approach with an integrated enforcement lifecycle.

Park Loyalty’s team supported the rollout with on-site training, documentation, and timely responses throughout implementation. Their responsiveness, even to questions beyond the original scope, helped build trust and keep the project moving.

“Marc and Kristen were fantastic,” says Ken. “Very professional and always responsive. When a problem arises, they’re on it immediately.”

Results: Efficiency, Insight, and Revenue Recovery

The results were immediate and measurable. Despite no prior exposure to enforcement technology, SEPTA parking officers quickly adapted and began working with new workflows and real-time tools.

Within the first 8 months:

  • Citation issuance time averaging 27 seconds
  • Over $4 million in parking payment & citation revenue collected within 7 months, which is needed to offset parking maintenance and operations cost so far
  • Real-time insight into officer activity, lot performance, and enforcement coverage
  • Compliance strengthened through GPS tracking, image documentation, and LPR matching
  • Most payments and appeals are now processed via the Park Loyalty motorist portal

“It’s been transformative for SEPTA and our staff. We’re very proud of the progress we’ve made.” — Ken Kalczewski

What’s Next: Expansion and 24/7 Enforcement

SEPTA’s early success is fueling the continued growth of the program:

  • 38 additional lots are being converted from free to paid parking
  • Anticipated annual citation volume 100,000+
  • 24/7 enforcement is expanding to all commuter locations
  • Planned integration with SEPTA’s Key 2.0 fare system could mean more seamless connections between parking and transit payments

SEPTA’s shift from manual processes and a pandemic-era moratorium to a high-performing, data-driven enforcement and partnership, SEPTA now has the tools, insight, and scalability to support both parking and transit goals moving forward.

Key Takeaways for Parking Leaders

  • Starting from scratch with technology, without a legacy system to replace, is not a disadvantage; it can lead to a faster, more efficient implementation
  • Phased rollouts and responsive support ease adoption and reduce commuter friction
  • Real-time data improves daily oversight and informs long-term planning
  • User-friendly tools increase officer efficiency and accuracy in the field
  • Reliable vendor partnerships provide continuity, expertise, and fast issue resolution
Download Case Study

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Hamtramck, MI Launches New Parking Enforcement Platform in Record Time

Full system implementation completed in just over two weeks.

Located entirely within the city limits of Detroit, Hamtramck is a diverse community just miles from the heart of downtown. The City has successfully launched Park Loyalty’s Enforce Pro omnichannel enforcement platform just over two weeks after initial discussions, demonstrating what’s possible when urgency meets collaboration with the right partner.

In late June, Hamtramck’s City Council voted to discontinue its prior enforcement platform, creating an immediate need for a replacement. With little time to spare, Park Loyalty moved quickly, completing a full implementation, including integration with the local court system, by July 18.

Long, drawn-out implementations are all too common in the parking industry. They disrupt operations, pause citation activity, delay revenue collection, and reduce voluntary compliance as enforcement visibility drops. Many agencies even postpone replacing outdated systems simply to avoid that kind of disruption. Park Loyalty’s ability to deliver a rapid, seamless rollout has helped Hamtramck and many other agencies maintain enforcement continuity with minimal impact.

Hamtramck becomes Park Loyalty’s third Michigan client, underscoring the company’s growing presence across the state.

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Park Loyalty Partners with ParkX Management to Power Parking Operations

Technology-driven enforcement and back-office tools now support ParkX operations in Virginia.

Park Loyalty is proud to announce a new partnership with ParkX Management, a Virginia-based operator serving the DMV with tailored parking management and security services. Known for delivering highly customized solutions across a variety of environments, ParkX selected Park Loyalty to support its growing enforcement and back-office operations.

Through this partnership, ParkX will leverage Enforce Pro and Process Pro, two core components of Park Loyalty’s integrated platform, to streamline field enforcement and administrative workflows. The collaboration also includes integration with TEZ Parking, adding payment flexibility and operational efficiency to their end-to-end parking solution.

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Park Loyalty Welcomes Bradley (Brad) Magee as Chief Revenue Officer

Park Loyalty is excited to announce the appointment of Brad Magee as our new Chief Revenue Officer, a strategic move that reflects our continued growth and momentum in the parking and mobility industry.

Brad brings nearly three decades of experience in the parking sector, with a distinguished career that spans leadership roles at Duncan Solutions and Digital Payment Technologies. Known for his ability to identify strategic opportunities and drive sustainable revenue growth, Brad has led major initiatives and has helped transform how organizations approach sales, client services, and operational efficiency.

As Park Loyalty enters its next phase of growth, the creation of the CRO role marks an important milestone in aligning our go-to-market strategy with the evolving needs of our clients and partners. Brad’s leadership will be instrumental in expanding our impact and delivering greater value across the ecosystem.

Please join us in welcoming Brad to the team as we continue building smarter, more connected solutions for the communities we serve.

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Park Loyalty and Risetek speakers at IPMI 2025

Changing the Industry Paradigm: Using Parking Rewards to Transform the Punitive Parking Model

At IPMI 2025, we challenged the status quo with a new vision for the parking industry.

What an unforgettable week at the IPMI 2025 Conference. Park Loyalty was thrilled to co-present a session that asked a bold question: What if the parking model wasn’t designed to penalize, but to incentivize good parking behavior through parking rewards?

Park Loyalty and RISETEK presented “Changing the Industry Paradigm: How Rewarding Good Behavior is the Key to Changing a Punitive Parking Model.” Marc Lucey and Sriram Somanchi represented Park Loyalty, while Jack Skelton and Frank Pinero joined from RISETEK. Together, the four brought decades of combined experience in parking management, enforcement operations, and public-private partnerships, offering a well-rounded perspective on how the model can evolve. They’ve helped build the very technologies that support traditional enforcement and understand what has made those systems effective. At the same time, they see an opportunity to improve the customer experience by layering in incentives and parking rewards, rather than relying solely on penalties. The session drew a full audience of municipal and higher education parking professionals from across the country.

Parking’s Reputation Problem

Let’s be honest: parking doesn’t exactly have a glowing reputation. Whether it’s seemingly endless circling for a parking spot, following confusing signage, or getting hit with a parking ticket, the experience is often a negative one.

Even though parking enforcement and digital payment tools have come a long way, the public’s perception really hasn’t. It’s “pay or else.” We’ve built powerful tools for enforcement, payments, curbside management, and more, but the customer experience still feels stuck in the past.

When we polled the room and asked what hurts the image of parking the most, the top answer was loud and clear: “People think it’s all about the money.” That answer grounded the conversation. Because if people are treated like customers everywhere else, why does parking still feel like a one-sided transaction?

What Other Industries Got Right

We took a step back and looked at how other industries overcame similar challenges. Think airlines, banks, insurance companies, and credit cards. All have had rocky reputations through time—delays, fees, fine print—but they’ve worked hard to rebuild some trust through loyalty programs.

Frequent flyer miles and elite status perks keep people coming back to their favorite airline, even if there’s a cheaper flight out there. Hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott do the same with points and perks. Banks reward customers for spending wisely. Insurance companies offer discounts to safe drivers. These programs smooth out the rough spots and turn everyday transactions into long-term relationships.

Rethinking Parking Incentives

So why not parking? There’s a real opportunity to flip the script and reward positive behavior. It could be as simple as a real-time offer sent to a motorist’s phone when they park, like a coupon for a nearby retailer or a free cup of coffee from the local café. Or it might be a future discount for someone who promptly pays a citation, or perks for repeat visitors who consistently follow the rules. Local businesses benefit too, turning parking into a new marketing channel that drives foot traffic, encourages repeat visits, and builds loyalty with their customers.

During our session, we introduced the idea of a “value triangle” between motorists, parking agencies, and local merchants. Each plays a role. Each sees a benefit. Motorists feel appreciated. Businesses attract more customers. And parking management agencies gain better compliance and stronger public trust.

Technology Makes It Happen

What used to be theoretical is about to become very real. Thanks to smart parking management software and AI-driven enforcement tools, agencies will be able to monitor behavior, adjust pricing, and offer targeted parking rewards and incentives that feel timely and relevant.

We’re not just talking about issuing parking tickets anymore. We’re talking about building an ecosystem that works for everyone. One where compliance goes up, resentment goes down, and communities thrive.

Looking Ahead

The takeaway from IPMI 2025 was clear: people are ready for change. And we’re ready to lead it.

At Park Loyalty, we’re actively building out new solutions that make this reward-based model possible, with Rewards Pro. Over the next year, we’re expecting to pilot programs across the country that bring this vision to life. By the time we’re back at IPMI next year, we’ll be ready to share real case studies with real results.

 

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Philadelphia Parking Authority Renews Contract with Duncan Solutions, Park Loyalty Continues Enforcement Role

Proven partnership selected to drive PPA’s evolving parking management goals.

On May 20, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) officially awarded Duncan Solutions a renewed contract to manage its parking violation system and motorist support services. Duncan will continue to lead a trusted team of technology partners, including Park Loyalty, which provides the enforcement solution component.

Park Loyalty first joined the project in 2022 and will continue to support PPA officers in the field through Enforce Pro, its mobile enforcement software. The platform powers real-time citation issuance with integrated license plate recognition (LPR), evidence capture, permit and payment verification, GIS tracking, and analytics. These tools, combined with the PPA’s full ecosystem of technology providers, help ensure accurate, well-documented citations and reduce contested violations.

This re-award follows a competitive procurement process at the start of this year, reinforcing the PPA’s confidence in the established partnership with Duncan and its team, as well as their ability to continue supporting current operations and preparing for future parking initiatives. Since 2019, Duncan has led the contract, assembling a high-performing team that, in addition to Park Loyalty, includes UR International for immobilization and towing services and PRWT Services for back-office, call center, and motorist support functions.

About the PPA

The Philadelphia Parking Authority supports the city’s economic vitality through the management of on-street parking, garages, surface lots, airport parking, and enforcement programs. The PPA also regulates taxis, limousines, and transportation network companies, and operates automated red-light and speed enforcement systems.

Notably, the PPA held the International Parking & Mobility Institute’s Accredited Parking Organization with Distinction designation from 2022-2024.
(Source: philapark.org/about-ppa)

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Park Loyalty to Present at IPMI 2025

Presentation explores how reward-based programs can drive compliance, customer satisfaction, and community impact.

Park Loyalty is headed to Louisville, Kentucky, for the 2025 International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) Conference & Expo, taking place June 8–11. As the largest gathering of professionals in the parking, transportation, and mobility sectors, IPMI is known for fostering industry innovation, professional development, and collaborative problem-solving. Attendees include city leaders, technology providers, public and private operators, and infrastructure specialists—all working to improve how communities move and connect.

Park Loyalty’s Founder and Chief Technology Officer Sriram Somanchi and CEO Marc Lucey will join Frank Pinero and Jack Skelton of RISETEK, an intelligent parking and transportation services provider, for a thought-provoking session titled “Changing the Industry Paradigm: How Rewarding Good Behavior is the Key to Changing a Punitive Parking Model.” The presentation takes place on Monday, June 10 at 4:00 PM.

In this session, Park Loyalty and RISETEK, who bring extensive experience developing enforcement and compliance technologies, will examine the benefits of shifting from traditional penalty-based parking systems to models rooted in positive reinforcement. Drawing on their work across both public and private sector programs, they’ll explore how reward-based approaches can increase voluntary compliance, build customer loyalty, support local businesses, and deliver more community-friendly outcomes.

Their perspective is distinctive: while they’ve helped build the tools that support today’s enforcement practices, they are also leading the conversation around what’s next. As the parking industry evolves, their insights point the way toward a more constructive, customer-first future.

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Georgia 400 highway and MARTA rapid rail train tracks in Buckhead Atlanta
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Parking Management Upgrade for Uptown Atlanta with Park Loyalty

Partnership brings Enforce Pro mobile solution and next-gen Enforcement Management Software to support the neighborhood’s continued growth.

Uptown Atlanta, a revitalized and rapidly developing district, is emerging as a hub for transit, commerce, and vibrant city living. It offers easy access to major highways and MARTA, along with walkable streets and bike-friendly paths that support a more connected, multimodal urban experience. As this dynamic neighborhood continues to grow, efficient parking management is essential to maintaining smooth mobility and a positive experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

Park Loyalty is proud to announce its latest deployment of Enforce Pro, a modern mobile enforcement solution, in partnership with Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS). Together, this collaboration brings a smarter, more streamlined approach to curb management that meets the evolving demands of urban environments.

Integrated Technology, Frictionless Parking Management.

When integrated with PRRS’s frictionless enforcement program, Enforce Pro provides real-time, omni-channel capabilities that make compliance identification faster and more accurate. Designed to equip field officers with smarter tools and clearer decisioning, this deployment reflects Uptown Atlanta’s commitment to innovation, urban mobility, and a better parking experience for all.

Uptown’s new enforcement strategy leverages the power of Enforce Pro, Park Loyalty’s flagship Enforcement Management Software, to streamline day-to-day operations. With advanced integrations and intuitive workflows, the solution enhances enforcement efficiency and supports improved compliance without creating friction for parkers.

Used alongside PRRS’s proven enforcement program, Enforce Pro delivers unparalleled speed and accuracy in the field, empowering teams to take decisive action and reduce manual processes. This seamless partnership represents a step forward for urban parking enforcement.

Collaborative Partnerships Power Smarter Mobility.

This initiative is further strengthened through collaboration with Pivot Parking, providing local enforcement expertise, and Get My Parking, whose integration supports back-end system connectivity and digital permit enforcement.

Together, these partners are helping shape a more connected, tech-forward approach to curb management, one that scales with Uptown Atlanta’s rapid growth while ensuring residents, businesses, and visitors benefit from a streamlined parking experience.

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Seastreak Ferries Implements Enforcement Management Software from Park Loyalty

Leading Ferry Operator Enhances Terminal Parking with Real-Time, Mobile-First Enforcement Solution.

Seastreak Ferries, a premier private ferry operator serving the Port of New York and New Jersey and the New England region, has launched Park Loyalty’s enforcement management software to improve parking enforcement at its terminals.

Faced with high passenger volumes and limited dockside parking, Seastreak needed a more efficient way to manage compliance and streamline enforcement operations. By deploying Enforce Pro, Park Loyalty’s comprehensive enforcement management software, Seastreak can now streamline citation issuance, automate enforcement workflows, and maintain better oversight of parking operations, all in real time.

Designed for all levels of traffic flow and operationally complex and diverse environments, Enforce Pro equips enforcement officers with mobile tools to issue citations on the spot, backed by time-stamped, photo-based evidence. The result is fewer errors, fewer disputes, and higher compliance. All data syncs instantly to a centralized, cloud-based dashboard, providing operations teams with full oversight and actionable insights.

This real-time transparency is especially critical in maritime settings, where space constraints, dynamic traffic patterns, and customer experience demand tight coordination. With Enforce Pro, Seastreak can better manage limited parking capacity, enforce consistently across multiple locations, and support a more seamless experience for passengers and crew.

Seastreak’s adoption of Enforce Pro reflects the growing demand for tech-forward, adaptable enforcement solutions tailored to evolving sector-specific needs. While Park Loyalty’s platform has served municipalities and transit operators across the country, this implementation marks a strategic extension into the maritime space, demonstrating the platform’s flexibility and effectiveness in managing terminal parking.

By reducing friction in enforcement and simplifying day-to-day operations, Seastreak continues to embrace smart technology that strengthens compliance, supports revenue recovery, and ensures a smoother journey.

 

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Borough of Oxford, PA Launches Parking Violations Management Software

Full Deployment Includes Enforcement, Ticket Processing, and Permitting Tools.

The Borough of Oxford, Pennsylvania has officially launched Park Loyalty’s Pro Solutions Platform. This marks an important milestone in the company’s growing presence across the greater Philadelphia region and Pennsylvania at large. This deployment continues the momentum behind Park Loyalty’s ongoing expansion and deepening partnership with Butts Ticket Systems (BTS). BTS is a comprehensive on-street and off-street parking solutions provider based in Cochranville, PA.

Comprehensive Parking Enforcement and Ticket Processing Software Platform

The Oxford implementation includes Park Loyalty’s complete suite of parking violations management software—Enforce Pro, Process Pro, and Permit Pro—providing the Borough with a fully integrated platform that supports every stage of parking operations. The system covers enforcement, citation issuance, back-office ticket processing, and digital permitting, offering Oxford a streamlined and modern approach to managing its parking program.

With this deployment, Oxford gains the operational advantages of automation, real-time data sharing, and configurable tools tailored to the needs of municipalities of all sizes. By using the full Pro Solutions Platform, the Borough can improve enforcement consistency, enhance the customer experience for residents and visitors, and better manage its curbside assets.

Seamless Integration for Data Accuracy and Operational Efficiency

Additionally, Park Loyalty’s integrations with ParkMobile and Flowbird for mobile and parking kiosk payments play a vital role in providing key services and maintaining data integrity across the Borough’s entire parking ecosystem. These integrations ensure that payment data from mobile payments and pay stations flows directly into the enforcement platform, creating greater efficiencies and enforcement accuracy.

This successful launch reinforces the value of customizable, future-ready solutions in local government and highlights the impact of Park Loyalty’s strategic collaborations. As more cities and towns in the Philadelphia metro area adopt the Pro Solutions Platform, Park Loyalty continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering innovation, efficiency, and reliability to parking professionals across the region.

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