CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Parking services revenue:
Lease contracts	$ 496,624	$ 489,575	$ 250,355
Management contracts	338,283	347,346	230,501
Total parking services revenue	834,907	836,921	480,856
Reimbursed management contract revenue	679,785	629,878	473,082
Total revenue	1,514,692	1,466,799	953,938
Cost of parking services:
Lease contracts	455,660	456,090	231,781
Management contracts	207,911	208,730	141,949
Total cost of parking services, gross	663,571	664,820	373,730
Reimbursed management contract expense	679,785	629,878	473,082
Total cost of parking services	1,343,356	1,294,698	846,812
Gross profit:
Lease contracts	40,964	33,485	18,574
Management contracts	130,372	138,616	88,552
Total gross profit	171,336	172,101	107,126
General and administrative expenses	101,516	98,931	86,540
Depreciation and amortization	30,349	31,193	13,513
Operating income	39,471	41,977	7,073
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense	17,815	19,034	8,616
Interest income	(402)	(643)	(297)
(Gain) on contribution of a business to an unconsolidated entity	(4,161)
Equity in losses from investment in unconsolidated entity	283
Total other expenses (income)	13,535	18,391	8,319
Income (loss) before income taxes	25,936	23,586	(1,246)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(197)	8,821	(3,620)
Net income	26,133	14,765	2,374
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,035	2,676	1,034
Net income attributable to SP Plus Corporation	$ 23,098	$ 12,089	$ 1,340
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.05	$ 0.55	$ 0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.03	$ 0.54	$ 0.08
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,009,800	21,902,870	17,179,606
Diluted (in shares)	22,407,343	22,249,584	17,490,204