ParkMobile Settlement in Grand Rapids Feels Like A Slap In The Face

Gone are the days when you could buy things for a dollar. Legends say that the Dollar Menu at McDonald's actually used to be a dollar, and one could buy out at Dollar Tree with one crisp Washington. But we're in 2025 now, and getting a single dollar is one of the worst consolation prizes today.

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A majority of us here in Grand Rapids may be owed some money if you've done one of the most common things involved with visiting downtown: paying to park. Due to a recent class action settlement, you may be entitled to a $1 credit from ParkMobile. Cue the fireworks.

ParkMobile's Past In Grand Rapids

Before we delve into the details, it is important to note that Mobile GR currently uses the MOTU app for parking payments throughout the city. This has been the case since 2018. Previously, the city's first mobile parking system utilized ParkMobile, for which this class action lawsuit compensates former customers.

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It has been over 7 years since the city used ParkMobile; however, during its time in the city, it was known to have issues processing payments, or payments would go through but not actually result in the parking spot being reserved, leading to parking tickets.

ParkMobile's Laughably Ridiculous Payout

Despite the time gap, the company sent emails yesterday to anyone who had used the service in the past, stating that, although the company was not found guilty of any wrongdoing related to an alleged data breach that occurred in 2021, the company was sending a $1.00 credit as a courtesy. Yes, you read that right. One whole dollar credit, which expires in one week, can only be used in increments of $0.25. 

Unless you'll be in a city with ParkMobile in the next week, this is pretty useless for most of us here. Plus, even if we could use it in GR, this feels more like a slap in the face than a data breach. Suppose you do go places that utilize ParkMobile, congrats. Enjoy your twenty-five cents, four times. Check your email to get the discount code.