MonkeyParking
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation Network Company (TNC) |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Paolo Dobrowolny, Federico Di Legge, Roberto Zanetti |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | San Francisco, |
Key people | Paolo Dobrowolny, Federico Di Legge, Roberto Zanetti |
| Website | monkeyparking.co |
MonkeyParking is a mobile app that allows users of the service to auction parking spaces to other users.[1] The company was founded in 2013 by Paolo Dobrowolny, Federico Di Legge and Roberto Zanetti.[citation needed]
The app (first allowed users to auction off public, city-owned parking spots to the highest bidder) is now focused on private parking spot: property owners are allowed to grant permission for others to park in front of their driveways.[2]
On-street parking
[edit]In June 2014, the San Francisco's City Attorney Office issued a cease-and-desist order to stop the company's operations on on-street parking spots in San Francisco, describing the service as "a predatory private market for parking spaces".[1] The City Attorney of San Francisco, Dennis Herrera, regarded the app as breaking a provision of the city's Police Code that specifically prohibits individuals or companies from buying, selling or leasing public on-street parking,[3] and sent a request to the legal department of Apple Inc. to remove the app from Apple's App Store.[4] Defending this usage, CEO Paolo Dobrowolny said "I have the right to tell people if I am about to leave a parking spot, and they have the right to pay me for such information."[1] In July 2014 MonkeyParking suspended its service in San Francisco,[5] and in February 2015 Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance making it illegal for any company similar to Monkey Parking to establish business within city limits.[6]
In September 2014 MonkeyParking announced plans to launch in Santa Monica. The city's parking administrator was critical of the app, comparing it to "a street bum [who] stands on a space, waves someone in and asks for a tip".[7]
Apps including MonkeyParking have been banned in Boston.[6] A Boston transportation planner said that the apps were doing a "great thing" in bringing more private supply into the public market, giving the example of a church parking lot which could be used by commuters during the week, but that such services "should not be taking a public good and selling it on the private market".[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Monkey Parking App’s CEO Refuses To Halt Operations In SF, Despite Order From City Attorney’s Office — CBS San Francisco." CBS San Francisco. CBS Local Media, 26 June 2014. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.<http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/06/26/monkey-parking-apps-ceo-refuses-to-halt-operations-in-sf-despite-order-from-city-attorneys-office/>.
- ^ MonkeyParking Is Back and Ready to Disrupt Your Driveway. <http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/monkeyparking-back-and-ready-disrupt-your-driveway>.
- ^ "Office of the City Attorney : News Release: 2014-06-23". sfcityattorney.org.
- ^ "Monkey Parking App’s CEO Refuses To Halt Operations In SF, Despite Order From City Attorney’s Office — CBS San Francisco." CBS San Francisco. CBS Local Media, 26 June 2014. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.<http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/06/26/monkey-parking-apps-ceo-refuses-to-halt-operations-in-sf-despite-order-from-city-attorneys-office/>
- ^ Entis, Laura. "San Francisco Says Enough Monkey Business: Tells Parking Spot App to Shut Down." Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur Magazine, 11 July 2014. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.<http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235575>.
- ^ a b c Giovanni Moujaes. "L.A. City Council "Monkeying" With Parking Apps". neontommy.com.
- ^ Gene Maddaus (18 September 2014). "Kicked Out of San Francisco, MonkeyParking App Plans a Fresh Start in Santa Monica". LA Weekly.