MasterCard Announces Partnership with a Leading European Parking Provider, Q-Park

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Oct 29, 2012, 05:00 ET

WATERLOO, Belgium, October 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

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(NYSE:MA) MasterCard Europe and Q-Park, one of Europe's leading parking companies, today announced a new partnership agreement that will provide customers with a safe and convenient way to pay for their parking. The agreement will maximise MasterCard's technology and Q-Park's expertise to provide an integrated customer experience that allows for a convenient and secure way to check in and out.

Q-Park is an international off-street parking company, focused on high quality parking facilities. It is Europe's number two parking company with more than 5,800 parking facilities in ten countries and is market leader in the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden and Finland.

From Maastricht, Theo Thuis, COO Q-Park, commented: "We are always looking at ways to make the customer experience with Q-Park as convenient and safe as possible and this partnership with MasterCard is another step towards realizing that ambition. It puts us in a fantastic position to offer future-proof, integrated solutions that allow our customers to pay in a safe and effortless way."

The first country to benefit from this European partnership will be the Netherlands. All relevant Dutch Q-Park car parks will receive the new EMV secured technology that will, next to credit cards and contactless payments, also allow Maestro® debit cards as entry and exit payment device without having to use a pin code. This roll-out will take place during the second half of 2013.

Speaking about the partnership, Hany Fam, President of Strategic Alliances Europe, MasterCard Worldwide said: "This exciting new partnership with Q-Park is another great illustration of how we are helping build towards a world beyond cash. From the moment someone arrives at a shopping mall and makes their first purchase, through to a quick final coffee before leaving the car park, we are able to provide a truly cashless experience. Our global, secure network also allows Q-Park to have the peace of mind that it is offering its customers a convenient and safe way to pay that will keep them coming back."

Notes to Editors

About MasterCard:

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), http://www.mastercard.com, is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.

About Q-Park:

Q-Park, http://www.q-park.co.uk/, is one of the leading providers of parking facilities in Europe, whether wholly-owned, leased, managed or in a hybrid business model. Q-Park is notable for its quality approach and has a portfolio comprising over 5,800 parking facilities and 800,000 parking spaces and has strong market positions in 10 North-West European countries; the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.