October 29, 2025
The parking industry is evolving rapidly. From traditional cash and ticket machines to mobile apps, contactless payments, and the management of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), customers now expect a smooth, digital-first experience when paying for parking. For merchants, the challenge is to meet these expectations while managing costs, compliance, and increasingly complex payment infrastructures. This is where Cardstream’s PayFac-as-a-Service (PFaaS) and Virtual PayFac models can make a transformative difference.
What is PayFac-as-a-Service?
PayFac-as-a-Service allows businesses to become their own Payment Facilitator (PayFac) without the time, cost, or risk of building a full payments infrastructure themselves. Cardstream provides a ready-made, White Label platform that handles onboarding, compliance, settlement, and connectivity, while giving parking providers complete control over the customer experience.
For those who want the same level of control and flexibility without taking on full PayFac responsibilities or licensing, Cardstream’s Virtual PayFac model offers the ideal middle ground. It enables partners to operate “as if” they were a PayFac, leveraging Cardstream’s regulated infrastructure and acquirer relationships while still benefiting from branded onboarding, reporting, and settlement flows.
In short, you get all the benefits of operating as a PayFac, without the headaches.
Benefits for the Parking Sector
1. Seamless Onboarding for Operators and Partners
Parking operators often need to onboard multiple sub-merchants, whether they are local authorities, private car park owners, or app developers. With Cardstream’s PayFac and Virtual PayFac models, onboarding is fast, automated, and fully compliant, ensuring a frictionless experience for all parties.
2. Enhanced Customer Experience
Drivers don’t want to struggle with outdated systems, whether they’re paying for a parking session or resolving a Penalty Charge Notice. Our solution enables a wide range of payment methods, from contactless cards to mobile wallets, making it simple for customers to pay quickly, securely, and in the way they prefer.
3. Streamlined Settlements and Reporting
Managing payments across multiple sites, partners, and transaction types (including PCNs) can be complex. Cardstream simplifies this process with consolidated reporting, automated settlements, and real-time analytics, providing operators with clear visibility into performance and revenue across both parking fees and fines.
4. Cost-Effective and Scalable
Rather than investing in their own payment infrastructure, parking operators can leverage Cardstream’s platform to scale efficiently. Whether managing a handful of car parks, nationwide networks, or processing PCN payments, our PayFac and Virtual PayFac solutions grow with your business.
5. Compliance Made Simple
Regulatory compliance in payments can be a burden. Cardstream ensures all aspects, from PCI DSS to anti-money laundering requirements, are handled, giving operators peace of mind that both everyday payments and PCN collections meet strict industry standards.
Driving the Future of Parking Payments
The parking sector is becoming increasingly innovative, digital, and customer centric. By adopting Cardstream’s PayFac-as-a-Service or Virtual PayFac, parking providers can streamline their operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
With the right payment infrastructure in place, parking payments and PCN collections become more than just transactions — they become part of a seamless, modern mobility experience.
