The City of Subiaco, in collaboration with iTouch Australia Pty Ltd, is conducting a six month trial of a hi-tech parking payment system. The inner city Perth Council has developed iPark, which allows motorists to prepay for their parking with a mobile phone. Each vehicle is issued with a barcode to be placed inside the windscreen, so parking inspectors can check their status.
Motorists call iPark to pay the required amount for their parking zone and the fee is deducted from their prepaid balance. Users can also receive an SMS alert five minutes before their park is due to expire so they can top up their prepaid amount.
Benefits of iPark include the following.
- No need to search for loose change for the parking meter.
- Motorists are less likely to exceed parking limits and get a fine.
- Businesses can provide loyalty parking vouchers to regular customers.
- Council can publicise special events and parking discounts via SMS.
- The ability to warn shoppers about parking peaks.
- Less vandalism of parking infrastructure.
- Less maintenance on Council’s ticket machines.
- Electronic system uses no paper, tickets or ink cartridges.
iPark accounts can be recharged on the internet, over the phone, through Council’s customer contact centre or by purchasing a $20 recharge card from Council. Discussions are underway with other authorities with a view to providing iPark at universities and hospitals.
For further information visit www.i-Park.com.au or contact Subiaco’s Manager Ranger Services, Tony Williamson, telephone (08) 9237 9274.
