GasBuddy App Expands To Parking

GasBuddy, a tech company that uses crowdsourcing technology to provide users with real-time fuel prices at gas stations, is expanding its service to provide discounted parking in facilities all over the United States, according to a press release.

In addition to the discount, GasBuddy will give users participating in the company’s GasBack program a rebate when they park with the service, Park with GasBuddy. The rebate amounts to free gasoline for the customer.

The company said drivers spend an estimated 17 hours a year searching for parking spaces, a number that represents about $345 per driver in used fuel, time and emissions.

Michael DiLorenzo, chief marketing officer at GasBuddy, said the service is a natural evolution for the company.

“The GasBuddy app has evolved from shopping smart with our app to paying smart with our payment card. Our core promise to the consumer has always been about value, convenience and simplicity,” he said. “By extending our capabilities from gasoline to parking, we will help the driving public save thousands of dollars and valuable hours each year, staying true to our mission.”

GasBuddy, which was founded in 2000, provides information for not only the United States but Canada and Australia as well. The GasBack program offers a Pay with GasBuddy card, which is used at the pump just like a credit card. There are currently about 400,000 members in the program, the company said.

The Park with GasBuddy program is a collaboration with ParkWhiz, an e-parking service based in Chicago, Illinois.

According to a recent survey of 10,000 consumers about how they use mobile apps during gas purchases, 68 percent said they pay for gas using mobile apps once a week.