Parking and getting around in Parramatta is about to be made easier thanks to the introduction of two revolutionary smart phone applications.
Parra Smart Parking is a free mobile application that offers live navigation to car spaces, using the smart phone GPS to display nearby car parks. It also enables users to touch on any of the locations to view car park details including up to the minute occupancy rates.
Another application, named the Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker, will allow users to view real-time tracking of Parramatta’s free shuttle bus.
Lord Mayor of Parramatta, John Chedid did not believe there’s any other government in Australia that has leveraged connective technologies like we have here in Parramatta.
"Already, consumers are experiencing advanced mobile applications that make positive contributions to daily life," he said.
"So it’s exciting that Parramatta is at the forefront of digital technology and is deploying applications such as these, and finding smart ways to improve our urban life.
"The Parra Smart Parking application will help people locate parking with a simple tap of the phone."
John Chedid said the real time tracking of Parramatta’s popular shuttle bus will set a new standard in transport services.
"The Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker application provides live information about where the bus is travelling," he said.
"This is quite a significant step forward for transport services, and I hope that others will follow our lead on this innovative concept."
Parramatta’s focus on connective technologies is an initiative of the ParraConnect Advisory Committee, an ongoing program that aims to help businesses, community groups, government stakeholders and residents.
John Chedid said creating a ‘smart’ city is a vital piece of our future infrastructure puzzle, and through the introduction of connective technologies like Smart Parking Parramatta, we are well on our way to becoming a smarter city
The Parra Smart Parking and Parra Shuttle Bus Tracker application is available for download, for free, on all android phones and will be made available on the iPhone and Blackberry and other popular devices in the coming weeks.
The apps can be downloaded from the ParraConnect website at www.parraconnect.net.au.