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by Aunche 1207 days ago
This is only tracking revenue. The numbers are meaningless without expenses. I'm sure they make a sizable profit margin, but conflating revenue with profit is sensationalism.
2 comments

I found the actual statements by searching "chicago parking meters llc" on chicago.gov: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/fin/supp_info...

In 2021, Chicago Parking Meters LLC had $136M revenue minus $50M of various expenses, leaving $86M of net operating income.

But of that $50M, $15M is "amortization of intangible asset", and I think "intangible asset" refers to the right to operate the meters. So it's effectively only $35M of "running-the-business" expenses, leaving $101M of effective profit.

And 20% inflation since then. If self driving really takes off the later years of it might be worthless. Still a terrible deal for the city.