What UPAB does

UPAB (Umeå Parkerings AB) is a municipally owned parking company wholly owned by Umeå kommun (Umeå Municipality), operating as a kommunalt aktiebolag under Swedish public-company law. It manages five parking houses in central Umeå — P-huset Nanna, Navet, Järnvägsallén, Parketten, and Dragonen — alongside on-street parking, municipal employee permits, university-campus permits for Umeå University and SLU, and specialized parking for motorhomes, caravans, buses, and motorcycles. The company is not expected to be profitable but must be financially self-sustaining, reinvesting all revenue into Umeå's urban development under a mandate to "make Umeå accessible."

The operational platform combines physical infrastructure with a digital layer: 228 public EV charging points with load-balancing across five facilities, ANPR-based access control at Dragonskolans garage, and mobile payments through Parkster and EasyPark integrations, accounting for over 95% of all parking transactions. Subscription management runs on the Giantleap.no platform, transitioning to a new Park46 portal and app in 2026. Parking-machine infrastructure was reduced from 50 to 20 units as mobile adoption increased. Pricing spans hourly street rates (9-28 SEK), monthly subscriptions (450-1,650 SEK plus 500-550 SEK EV surcharge), and parking control fees (600-1,200 SEK from January 2026) issued under Swedish law SFS 1984:318.

Revenue is generated across five streams: hourly/daily usage-based parking, recurring monthly subscriptions, EV charging fees, parking control fees on private property (tomtmark) and municipal streets, and a modest sponsorship/charitable layer (e.g., the "Parkera med hjärtat" campaign donating 150,000 SEK to BRIS Region Nord in 2025). Customers are served via self-serve digital channels (website, app, mobile payment), a corporate fleet portal, walk-in customer service at the Skolgatan 65 A headquarters, and phone/email support. The company is led by VD Annika Ljungblad (appointed February 2024) and operates exclusively within Västerbotten, Sweden, with no disclosed subsidiaries, funding rounds, or M&A activity.

Name

UPAB

Legal name

Umeå Parkerings AB

Website

https://upab.se

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UPAB (Umeå Parkerings AB) is a municipally owned parking and EV-charging operator in Umeå, Sweden, managing five parking houses, 228 charging points, and digital subscription and mobile-payment services for private individuals, municipal employees, university staff, and corporate fleets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parking Services

NAICS

Parking Lots and Garages (812930), Parking Lots and Garages (81293), Administrative and Support Services (561)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

Off-Street Parking Facilities Operations (Garages, Lots, Park-and-Ride) (TLAJAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

EV Charging Operations & Parking-Lot Electrification Management (BPABAKAK), Parking Access & Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) (Gates, Pay Stations, Ticketing) (TLAJAIAD), Parking Management & Enforcement (Citations, Permits, Compliance) (BPABAKAB), On-Street Parking Operations & Curbside Management (Meters, Permits, Loading Zones) (TLAJAIAA)

Keywords

• Urban parking services
• EV charging infrastructure
• Parking permits
• Municipal parking
• Parking management

Headquarters

HQ city

Umeå

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hourly and Daily Parking Fees: Revenue from pay-as-you-go parking at metered spaces and parking houses. Customers pay via mobile app (Parkster/EasyPark), SMS, or parking machines. The company is reducing parking machines from 50 to 20 as payment behavior shifts toward mobile.
2. Monthly Parking Subscriptions: Recurring revenue from monthly parking permits (abonnemang) for reserved and non-reserved parking spaces in parking houses and outdoor areas. Digital permits automatically renew monthly. Prices range from 450-1650 kr/month depending on facility and amenities including EV charging.
3. EV Charging Fees: Additional fees for EV charging on top of parking fees. Customers pay a zone-specific rate that includes parking plus charging costs based on electricity, installation, and maintenance.
4. Parking Control Fees (Kontrollavgifter): Revenue from issuing control fees for illegal parking on private property (tomtmark) and parking fines for violations on municipal streets managed under Swedish law (SFS 1984:318).
5. Sponsorship and Charitable Initiatives: Non-operational revenue through sponsorship programs supporting local sports (Umeå IK, Umeå FC), community initiatives (Samspel, BRIS Region Nord), and participation in city events. Also includes the 'Parkera med hjärtat' campaign where 10% of parking revenue is donated to charity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UPAB (Umeå Parkerings AB) operates five multi-level parking garages and outdoor parking facilities across central Umeå, offering hourly parking, monthly parking permits (abonnemang), and 228 public EV charging points with load balancing. The company provides digital permit management through its Park46 customer portal, mobile payment via Parkster and EasyPark apps, on-street parking zones, and event coordination services for major city events. UPAB is wholly owned by Umeå Municipality and reinvests all income into Umeå's urban development rather than pursuing profit.

Product overview

UPAB (Umeå Parkerings AB) is a municipal parking company owned by Umeå municipality that operates as a comprehensive parking service provider. The core offering consists of five parking garages (P-huset Nanna, Navet, Järnvägsallén, Parketten, and Dragonen) providing paid parking and subscription services. The product portfolio includes digital parking permits managed via the Park46/Giantleap platform, mobile payment through Parkster and EasyPark apps, 228 EV charging points with load balancing technology, specialized parking for various vehicle types (buses, motorhomes, motorcycles), key tag access systems, and municipal employee parking programs. Additional services include event coordination (Evenemangslots), sponsorship programs, and community initiatives like the 'Mod att se' civil courage campaign. The company is transitioning to a new subscription management system (Park46) in 2026, replacing the existing Giantleap.no platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• P-huset Nanna Multi-level parking garage in central Umeå offering paid hourly parking and monthly subscription options with EV charging capabilities. Standard subscription: 1,030 kr/month; with EV charging: 1,550 kr/month.
• P-huset Navet Parking garage in central Umeå providing paid parking and subscription services with EV charging infrastructure. EV charging subscription: 1,550 kr/month.
• P-huset Järnvägsallén Parking garage near Umeå central station offering subscription parking, EV charging, and engine heater facilities. Standard subscription: 780 kr/month; with EV charging: 1,300 kr/month.
• P-huset Parketten Parking garage offering paid parking and subscription services with EV charging capabilities in central Umeå. Standard subscription: 1,130 kr/month; with EV charging: 1,650 kr/month.
• P-huset Dragonen Parking garage at Västra Norrlandsgatan offering both paid parking and subscription options, including a VIP permit covering multiple facilities (Nanna, Navet, Parketten, Järnvägsallén) for 1,510 kr/month.
• EV Charging Points 228 public EV charging points across multiple parking facilities (P-huset Nanna, Navet, Järnvägsallén, Parketten, and Umeå Campus). Features load balancing technology to manage charging power based on simultaneous vehicles to reduce grid strain.
• Digital Parking Permits Subscription-based monthly parking permits managed through the customer web portal or mobile app. Permits automatically renew monthly and allow registration of vehicle registration numbers. Pricing ranges from 450-1,650 kr/month depending on facility and amenities.
• Mobile Parking Payment Parking payment via smartphone apps (Parkster, EasyPark) or SMS using zone codes. Over 95% of all parking payments in Umeå are made via mobile. Zone-based pricing: yellow zone 9 kr/hour, blue zone 20 kr/hour, orange zone 28 kr/hour.
• Parking for Other Vehicles Specialized parking facilities for buses, motorhomes, caravans, and motorcycles. Includes designated ställplatser (overnight stops for motorhomes) at multiple Umeå locations including partnership with First Camp Nydala.
• Disabled Parking Permits Parking permits for people with mobility disabilities. In Umeå municipality, disabled parking spaces on street level are free of charge.
• Key Tag Access System Electronic key tag system for access to parking facilities including Dragonskolans garage, P-huset Järnvägsallén, P-huset Nanna, P-huset Navet, and Diös properties (Döbelnsgatan 19, Götgatan 1, Nygatan 8, Västra Norrlandsgatan 11).
• Event Coordination Service (Evenemangslots) Proactive planning and coordination service ensuring accessibility, traffic flow, and safety during large events in Umeå such as Rally Sweden, Brännbollsyran, and SM-veckan. Works with event organizers and municipal functions.
• Municipal Employee Parking Special parking permit program for Umeå municipal employees with designated inner, outer, and Stadshuset zones. Inner area: 371 kr/month; outer area: 247 kr/month; Stadshuset area: 618 kr/month (from April 2026, indexed annually).
• Umeå Campus Parking Parking permits for students and employees of Umeå University and SLU at campus areas. Includes reserved spots (400 kr/month Sep 1 - May 31), allocated places (650 kr/month), service permits (600 kr/month or 150 kr/week), and discounted daily passes (30 kr/day).

Quantifiable outcome

• 228 public EV charging points across 5 parking facilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• ParkstercoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile payment provider for parking services. UPAB customers use Parkster app to pay for hourly parking and EV charging via zone codes. Includes SMS parking option (send zone code, registration number, and personal number to 0707-13 14 15).
• EasyParkcoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile payment provider for parking services. UPAB customers use EasyPark app to pay for hourly parking and EV charging. Includes SMS parking option.
• Flowbird ABcoreTechnology or IntegrationData processor for ticketless parking machines. Handles personal data processing for parking payments made at automated machines. Contractually obligated to protect data according to UPAB's instructions.
• DiösminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty company through which UPAB offers key tags (nyckeltagg) for accessing parking facilities including Döbelnsgatan 19 (Björken), Götgatan 1 (Sagagallerian), Nygatan 8 (Ask), Västra Norrlandsgatan 11 (Arken).
• Umeå IKstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's football club sponsorship. UPAB provides sponsorship for match equipment, youth activities, and training support. Focus on community contribution, accessibility, and well-being through sports.
• Umeå FCstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMen's football club sponsorship. UPAB provides sponsorship support with focus on community engagement and sports development.
• BRIS Region NordstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild welfare organization. Recipient of 'Parkera med hjärtat' (Park with Heart) Christmas campaign donations. 150,000 SEK donated in 2025 (up from 130,000 SEK in 2024). Supports children and youth who need someone to talk to.
• First Camp NydalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampground partnership. For visitors using UPAB's ställplatser (motorhome parking spots) at Nydala, nearby facilities for toilet emptying and showers are available at First Camp Nydala.
• HJ FastigheterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty management company. Handles property maintenance for P-huset Parketten. Contact point for questions regarding the minor fire incident in the building's stairwell in September 2024.
• SamspelstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of child safety initiative in Västerbotten. Requires sponsored sports clubs to have leaders with criminal record checks and anti-bullying action plans. Promotes safe environments for children in sports.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Q-Park: Large European parking operator with Swedish operations offering off-street and on-street parking management services; comparable product set but commercial (not municipal) ownership model.
• AIMO: Nordic parking operator (formerly EuroPark) managing garages and on-street parking across Sweden and the Nordics; comparable digital/mobile-first operating model to UPAB.
• APCOA Parking: Major European parking operator with a Swedish footprint operating parking facilities, enforcement, and digital services — comparable scope and tech stack, but at continental scale.

Others

• Parkster: Swedish mobile parking payment app integrated with UPAB for hourly parking and EV charging payments — adjacent payment-infrastructure partner, not a facility-level competitor.
• Flowbird: Provider of ticketless parking machines and payment infrastructure; UPAB's data processor for machine payments and supplier of the machines being reduced from 50 to 20.
• EasyPark Group: Mobile parking payment platform and direct UPAB technology partner — adjacent ecosystem participant enabling >95% of UPAB's mobile transactions rather than a competitor for parking facilities.

Regional players

• Vattenfall InCharge: Sweden's largest EV-charging network operator; competes with UPAB's 228 charging points regionally but does not operate parking facilities, making it a partial overlap rather than a full peer.

Direct peers

• Göteborgs Stads Parkerings AB: Municipal parking operator for Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city; operates parking houses, on-street parking, and EV charging — directly comparable mandate and product set to UPAB.
• Stockholm Parkering: Municipal parking company owned by Stockholm city, operating garages and on-street parking in the Swedish capital — the closest structural analogue to UPAB's mandate, ownership model, and service mix.
• Malmö Stads Parkerings AB: Municipal parking company serving Malmö with similar structure to UPAB — public ownership, integrated with city planning, and expanding EV charging infrastructure in southern Sweden.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/upabumea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upab

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UPAB