KUCHING: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) has rolled out the Pay & Go Smart Parking System covering 7,080 gazetted areas and 2,500 non-gazetted parking areas within its jurisdiction.
Its mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman said the trial and transition phase for the new system began on November 1, coinciding with the end of the existing parking concession under Kuching City Parking System Sdn Bhd (KCPS).
“The trial period, which runs from November to December this year, will allow road users to familiarise and adapt to the new parking method.
“This system replaces the old-fashioned method where we used paper coupons and scratch cards.
“Therefore, this will bring many advantages to all Kuching residents, allowing them to use a more efficient, reliable and up-to-date parking system that meets the needs of today’s times,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after the soft launch of Kuching Smart Parking Pay & Go and Kuching Car Free Morning officiated by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Coordination of Projects for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi at Padang Merdeka on Sunday.
To support the initiative, DBKU has also opened a System Counter at Jalan Satok to assist senior citizens aged 60 and above under the Easy Elderly Payment (EEP) programme.
“This initiative allows senior citizens to enjoy a flexible and user-friendly system designed especially for them.
“This counter is open starting today (Nov. 2) at the DBKU office on Jalan Satok,” he said.
The new Smart Parking System features several advanced technologies, including a GPS-based Pay & Go mobile application, hand-held devices for enforcement officers, and QR-coded parking notices for user convenience.
In addition, Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras will be installed on e-bikes and enforcement vehicles to enhance security, efficiency and operational effectiveness.
As such, Hilmy urged all road users and those who wish to use the parking lots to make full use of this system.
It is a very user-friendly system for both DBKU and MBKS areas.
“At present, this application is very easy to use, and I hope everyone will feel comfortable when using it,” Hilmy said.
