Colonial Parking Taps ParkMe to be its Real-Time Parking Provider Across its D.C. Area Operations

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Dec 18, 2012, 11:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will now enjoy the ability to locate instantly available parking at the touch of a finger with the introduction of Colonial's new website location finder map and mobile app for iPhone. This custom-built application, powered by ParkMe (www.parkme.com) gives Colonial customers access to ParkMe's branded mobile apps and its distribution network of GPS and navigation providers.

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ParkMe allows the data from Colonial's 250 locations to be streamed to mobile apps, in-car navigation systems and GPS devices. ParkMe's system provides drivers crucial parking information, such as rates, entrance points and even real-time occupancy. Studies show that urban congestion is directly related to the search for parking. Drivers ultimately will be able to eliminate the need to circle the block and double-park, keeping the roads clear for other drivers.

To download Colonial's App, visit www.ecolonial.com or search Colonial Parking on the iTunes Store.

"Providing parking location and availability information to motorists for our 250 plus metropolitan locations will be a great benefit to our customers, building owners and motorists in general," Andrew Blair, President and CEO of Colonial Parking commented. Mr. Blair continued, "Our cooperation with ParkMe is a major step in ensuring technological leadership in the D.C. market, and in the nation, with the goal of easy and hassle-free parking."

Currently, there are millions of drivers accessing parking data directly through ParkMe's branded mobile apps and through its partnerships with GPS and in-car navigation systems. Now, Colonial Parking offers its clients and building owners connectivity to those customers through its broad and deepening cooperation with ParkMe. ParkMe welcomes Colonial to its network.

"As more cities go online with respect to parking, it's great to see Colonial, D.C.'s premier parking provider, coming into the fold," Sam Friedman, co-founder and CEO of ParkMe, said. "Getting drivers to their spaces faster not only reduces frustration, it ameliorates the flow of traffic. This integration establishes Washington, D.C. and Colonial Parking as one of the most advanced cities in the nation when it comes to smart parking."

Consumers can download the free mobile phone app and get more information by visiting the Colonial Parking website: www.ecolonial.com. The same ParkMe technology can also be seen on Colonial's online Daily and Monthly parking locator.

About Colonial Parking
Colonial Parking is a family-owned and locally-based company dedicated to providing unparalleled service to parkers throughout the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Our relationships with property owners and property managers—our clients—are marked by integrity and accountability.

With more than 250 parking facilities serving office buildings, retail malls, hotels, sporting events and hospitals, Colonial offers convenient parking for tens of thousands of residents and visitors every day, from Capitol Hill to Georgetown and from Old Town to Bethesda. In the District of Columbia alone, 90% of all commuters are estimated to work within two blocks of a Colonial facility. No other parking company comes close to offering such widespread convenience.

For more information please visit www.ecolonial.com or contact Sharon Wills at 202-295-8150 or [email protected].

About ParkMe
Based in Santa Monica, Calif., ParkMe is the leading provider of parking information to navigation companies and smartphones. Founded by Sam Friedman and Alex Israel, ParkMe's mission is to make parking easier. ParkMe collects and aggregates data about both on-street and off-street parking and has built the world's most comprehensive parking database. This includes more than 25,000 worldwide locations in more than 500 cities, 19 countries and three continents. ParkMe's free app, ParkMe, helps drivers find parking in real time from their smartphones. ParkMe can be found on the web at www.parkme.com, on Twitter @TheParkMeApp, and on Facebook www.facebook.com/theparkmeapp

ParkMe is backed by a highly respected group of investors, including Fontinalis Partners and IDG Ventures. Fontinalis Partners is a leading transportation technology strategic investment firm founded by Bill Ford, Ralph Booth, Mark Schulz, Chris Cheever and Chris Thomas. IDG Ventures is a global network of venture capital funds with approximately $5 billion under management and a portfolio of over 220 companies built over the last 15 years. For more information about ParkMe, please visit: www.parkme.com.