In the parking industry, there’s a persistent narrative suggesting that certain access models automatically “drive more cars” into a facility. The implication is that by removing gates, demand somehow surges, as if drivers change their behavior based on hardware rather than need.

Let’s be clear: garages are like gas stations. Technology doesn’t determine how many people need fuel; demand does. It’s the same with parking. Cars don’t magically appear because a garage uses one access method over another. What fills garages is market demand, pricing strategy, marketing, and good old-fashioned hustle.

Demand Isn’t Determined by the Gate; It’s Earned

The idea that access equipment alone controls volume is not just misleading; it ignores the reality of how parking actually works. At Vend, we’ve seen again and again that the real drivers of occupancy and revenue are far more practical and far more human:

• Running marketing strategies that engage the local community.
• Rolling up your sleeves and finding people who need space.
• Building relationships with local businesses.
• Negotiating fleet contracts and valet partnerships.
• Going building-to-building to sell monthly parking.
• Understanding supply, demand, and tenant needs, not just hardware preferences.

That’s the work that creates real demand. That’s the work that fills a garage on weekdays, weekends, and everything in between.

Real-World Example: The Power of Putting in the Work

At Vend, our teams have driven substantial revenue lifts without changing a single access device. We’ve helped owners fill facilities by:

• Signing new fleet agreements for recurring volume.
• Securing valet contracts that added predictable occupancy.
• Partnering with nearby offices and residential buildings to absorb overflow demand and sell new monthly parking packages.

None of those wins came from the presence, or absence, of a gate. They came from strategy and execution.

Gateless Works, In the Right Context

Gateless technology absolutely has its place. It’s an incredible solution for facilities where:

• Revenue is not collected at the point of entry
• The risk of slippage is low
• Speed of access is more important than transactional capture
• The economics support a frictionless flow

When applied correctly, it’s efficient, modern, and loved by drivers. But when gateless is forced into the wrong scenario? Facilities end up with:

• Revenue leakage
• Enforcement challenges
• Poor driver experiences
• Frustrated owners

Gateless isn’t “better” or “worse.” It’s simply one option, and like any tool, the value comes from knowing where and how to apply it. Vend’s solution is flexible, allowing us to apply the right access model, based on the needs of the location.  Not sure of the right access mode for your facility? This blog breaks it down.

Don’t Get Fooled by Oversimplified Claims

The facts are straightforward:

• Demand is created by strategy and execution, not hardware.
• Revenue is earned through operational excellence, pricing strategy, and hard work.
• Choosing the right access model depends on asset type, goals, and risk; not a one-size-fits-all ideology.

At Vend, we don’t build narratives to fit a product. We build strategies to fit each property. Because owners deserve more than talking points, they deserve partners willing to do the work.

The Bottom Line

Don’t get distracted by simplistic claims that one access method magically drives more cars. Parking doesn’t work that way.

The truth is clear: You don’t drive revenue by removing gates. You drive revenue through strategy and hard work. That’s what separates real parking operators from the noise. And that’s exactly how Vend helps owners unlock the full value of their assets.

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