\u201cAnything we can do as an airport to remove some of those concerns that people always have when they get to the airport, that\u2019s a positive thing,\u201d Thorpe said.<\/p>\n
Registering with Metropolis through its app is not required. Customers can still pay with cash or a credit card using a dedicated lane upon exit. If no payment information is stored, the gate will not raise automatically until the customer pays on a screen at the exit location, or with a human attendant on site.<\/p>\n
![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/FRS_EPZ_FAT_PARKING_01.JPG\" "\\"FRS_EPZ_FAT_PARKING_01.JPG\\"")
Mark Thorpe, aviation director for the city of Fresno, explains the benefits of Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s new parking system during a demonstration event, Tuesday morning, July 14, 2026, in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com What about your data?<\/p>\n
Could data collected by the city and Metropolis be used for more than just parking payments?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe operate on the principle of data minimization. We collect the data that\u2019s necessary to seamlessly process payment,\u201d Mitchell said. That includes license plate information, payment information and a phone number.<\/p>\n
Mitchell said information is stored in the U.S. and only authorized Metropolis employees have access. The parking contract also allows the city to access data, mostly for financial purposes. Metropolis owns the data, the contract says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe neither sell nor share data with anybody. So folks can rest assured privacy is of a paramount concern for us. As you know, we understand it\u2019s something that\u2019s top of mind for many folks,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n
Metropolis\u2019 privacy policy, posted online at other airports<\/a> it operates, says the company \u201cmay\u201d collect data such as biometric information, internet browsing and search history, and precise geolocation.<\/p>\n The company says it may use personal information to train AI systems, in marketing and advertising, and discloses the information to Metropolis\u2019 business customers, corporate affiliates and third-party advertising partners.<\/p>\n \u201cThese advertising partners may use this information (and similar information collected from other services) for purposes of delivering personalized advertisements to you when you visit digital properties within their networks. This practice is commonly referred to as ‘interest-based advertising’ or \u2018targeted advertising,\u2019\u201d the Metropolis privacy policy says.<\/p>\n Mitchell said \u201cthat is not true\u201d when asked about that section of the policy. He also denied Metropolis collects biometric data or internet browsing history.<\/p>\n Metropolis spokesperson Nick Rosen-Wachs added, \u201cJust like any growing company, our terms of service and privacy policy are broad. We do not sell data and never have.\u201d<\/p>\n Digital civil liberties group Electronic Frontier Foundation said private companies using automatic license plate reading technology is becoming more common. California law prevents public agencies from sharing license plate data with entities outside the state, and restricts its usage.<\/p>\n \u201cThis trumps any ambiguity in Metropolis\u2019 general privacy policy, which seems to allow for broader sharing,\u201d said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Saira Hussain. \u201cWhile ALPR information likely will be collected about anyone who parks in these parking garages, consumers can minimize the amount of information collected on them by choosing to continue using the old-fashioned method of ticketed parking.\u201d<\/p>\n Thorpe agrees.<\/p>\n \u201cFor those that have deep concerns, they can still use the analog lines,\u201d Thorpe said.<\/p>\n The rates remain unchanged. The city charges $4 an hour (with a five-minute grace period), with a $17 flat rate. The economy lot offers a $12 daily rate only.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Metropolis entered a $9 million settlement<\/a> with the Tennessee Attorney General\u2019s Office for deceptive practices.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an isolated incident that occurred at a company that Metropolis acquired years ago. We have put that issue to rest with that settlement, and really, what we\u2019re doing is looking forward is trying to bring best-in-class technology and operations to provide great experiences for customers, and to run parking facilities efficiently for whether it\u2019s an airport or whether it\u2019s a commercial location,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n Metropolis is defending several federal class action lawsuits, claiming among other things, that the company breaks the law when charging fines.<\/p>\n A lawsuit filed in Texas \u2014 Frankfort v. Metropolis Technologies, Inc.<\/a> \u2014 accuses Metropolis of violating federal and Texas state law by failing to post rates, and excessive fines for not paying. The litigation claims Metropolis\u2019 notice of fines purposely intimidates customers by making threats it cannot legally carry out \u2014 such as booting or towing vehicles.<\/p>\n \u201cMetropolis doesn\u2019t have the best reputation, and I don\u2019t know why a legitimate business would have Metropolis running their parking,\u201d said Craig Haynes, an attorney in the Texas case.<\/p>\n A judge dismissed the federal claims regarding violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in the Texas case. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are appealing.<\/p>\n A separate federal lawsuit in Tennessee \u2014 Alhindi v. Metropolis Technologies, Inc.<\/a> \u2014 makes similar claims. It also alleges Metropolis illegally accesses DMV records to mail violations to the owner of the car. A federal lawsuit in Florida \u2014 Barbieri v. Metropolis Technologies, Inc.<\/a> \u2014 alleges illegal access to state driving records to send a notice of violation.<\/p>\n The Tennessee and Florida cases invoke violations of the federal Driver\u2019s Privacy Protection Act<\/a> of 1994.<\/p>\n New company, new contract<\/p>\n Previously, the airport partnered with SP Plus, which operated a traditional ticket\/kiosk model. Metropolis completed its $1.8 billion purchase of SP Plus<\/a> in May. SP Plus managed the Fresno airport parking since 2014, while the city used the technology of another company, SKIDATA. The technology was \u201capproaching its end of life,\u201d according to a city document<\/a>.<\/p>\n An earlier attempt to install SKIDATA\u2019s license plate reader system failed; \u201cdue to project delays and unforeseen costs, Airports did not proceed with the LPR (license plate reader) project.\u201d The city also had a maintenance package with SKIDATA.<\/p>\n The city will pay Metropolis a yearly $191,850 fee for operations and software, with an annual 3% increase. That will save $156,000 yearly in SKIDATA hardware and software maintenance fees, according to the contract<\/a>. However, customers will face new charges. The city also purchased eight digital display boards at the exit locations for $80,000 total.<\/p>\n Metropolis will charge users a \u201cconsumer transaction fee\u201d on top of the hourly parking rate. There is no fee for the first hour; 1-4 hours, $1.80; more than four hours, $2.80. Reservations will cost an extra $3.80.<\/p>\n The Fresno City Council approved the Metropolis contract unanimously, 7-0, at the June 4 meeting.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n![\"Large](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/FRS_EPZ_FAT_PARKING_03.JPG\" "\\"FRS_EPZ_FAT_PARKING_03.JPG\\"")
Large screens direct drivers through Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s new parking system, Tuesday morning, July 14, 2026 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Several class action lawsuits<\/p>\n