Finding a public parking space in commercial areas can drive most people up the wall but the problem does not end with finding a spot.
You then have to make payment, which is often an issue because of factors such as faulty parking machines, the lack of coupon agents, and even the weather.
To address this, some local councils in Selangor decided to go digital by introducing an additional payment mechanism – a mobile app – that makes paying for parking a breeze without having to look for coupon agents or parking machines.
Among them are the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang), Shah Alam City Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL).
The first three councils are using the FlexiParking mobile app.
Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) introduced the mobile app in August last year, followed by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) in January this year.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was the latest to introduce FlexiParking after its app developer took over its initial app called MPAJ Parking this month.
How it began
The FlexiParking app was developed by Leading Innovative Technologies and Systems Sdn Bhd (LiTS) in collaboration with Suasa Efektif (M) Sdn Bhd.
LiTS chief executive officer Lai Thiam Sin said the app was in line with Selangor’s Smart City vision.
At first, however, it was not easy to convince local councils to come on board.
“Initially, when we presented the idea, most of them were concerned about how well it would be received by the public.
“We tried our best to tailor the app for the convenience of both enforcement officers and motorists,” Lai said.
It took the company about a year to develop the app and they worked closely with the local councils to educate enforcement officers on how it works.
LiTS are currently in talks with the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and if all goes according to plan, the app will be launched there by the end of this month.
“More councils are receptive after seeing its implementation in MBSA,” Lai said.
He noted that in Sepang, initially the number of users was low as many wanted to utilise their existing parking coupons while some did not know about the app’s existence.
“Usually, new users would start with a minimum RM10 but after they have experienced the convenience of the app, they are more convinced,” he said.
Based on LiTS’ data, almost 80% of users across all three local councils were aged 40 and below.
A user is allowed to store up to six vehicles in the app and will be notified 10 minutes before the period paid for is about to expire.
To date, the app has 14,601 users and has garnered a 4.2 star rating on the Google Play Store.
By using the app, users are also saving the environment. As of July, a total of 4,405kg of paper has been saved in Shah Alam (2,832kg), Ampang Jaya (466kg) and Sepang (1,107kg).
This is measured by taking into account the weight of a parking coupon, 3gm, multiplied by the number of bays and hours used.
To create more awareness on the app, Suasa Efektif chief executive officer Zainuddin Othman said banners were placed in commercial areas and information on the app was printed at the back of parking coupons.
“We are waiting for approval to put up the banners at bank counters and display boards,” he said.
Expanding coverage
LiTS is hoping to get more local councils on board including Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
“We would love to work with the Selangor government to streamline the parking payment system in the state.
“If all the local councils are on board, this could be done more easily,” said Lai, adding that they also planned to introduce the system to Ipoh, Kuantan and Melaka.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said MBPJ was looking at digital options to pay for parking.
“We want to go green and also be a smart city, so paying through mobile apps is part of our plans,” he said.
Earlier this year, MBPJ terminated the services of parking concessionaire Godell Parking Sdn Bhd and it is in the process of rolling out a new parking coupon system first.
“We will never completely eliminate the coupon system as not all motorists will be open to using an app,” said Mohd Azizi.
Motorist Soraya Ahmad is a convert to the new way of paying for parking.
“I like the fact that I can key in many car registration numbers and help family members pay for their parking.
“I have done this for my mother,” said Soraya who downloaded the app early March to use within Shah Alam.
She said the app’s GPS system needed improvement to identify the right road a vehicle is parked on.
“Often I can’t locate the street name and sometimes the road signs are blocked by ah long stickers,” she said.
Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam resident T. Mogan was happy that the top-up fee did not expire.
“I used to buy scratch coupons and when we couldn’t finish them by the expiry date, they would have to be thrown away,” he said, adding that he still preferred using parking coupons than the app.
“Not everyone has a smartphone or an Internet data on-the-go. So the older generation would definitely stick to parking coupons,” he said.
Klang resident Yang Yong Seng, who used the app to pay for parking in Shah Alam, hoped it would be introduced in more areas.
“Paying through the app is definitely more convenient than searching for coins or buying coupons,” he said.
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