MBKS may come up with digital parking system
KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) is considering introducing a digital parking system.
Kuching South Mayor Datuk James Chan said the system may be introduced for the convenience of motorists.
“The rationale raised is due to the present hectic lifestyle, especially when one is working for the whole day. There may be a plan for a digital parking system to be introduced in the not too distant future for the convenience of motorists in Kuching.
“However, if people feel that such request of payment period of overparking fees should be extended from three working days to a week, they can write in to the Sarawak government for consideration,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.
Under the current parking system, Chan said motorists are required to estimate the period of time they wished to park in a parking space and display the appropriate parking coupon or coupons.
The parking coupons are 20 sen for the first 30 minutes, 50 sen for the next 30 minutes, and 80 sen for every subsequent 30-minute block. Chan said this is stipulated under the respective Provision of Parking Places Order.
“Any person who continues to park in a parking place after the expiry of the period in respect of which coupons are displayed on the motor vehicle shall be guilty of an offence. However, local authorities have agreed that overparking notices be issued first and a grace period of three working days be given after the date of issuance of the notice.
“This is so that motorists would be provided with the opportunity to settle the overparking fees before the local authorities offered to compound the offence,” explained the mayor.
Chan said the grace period of three working days after the date of issuance of the notice to settle the overparking fees “is reasonable and fair”.
“When one has parked for a longer period shown on the coupon(s) displayed by the person, one should be settling the cheap overparking fees quickly at any payment spot like any KCPS ( Kuching City Parking System) parking booth and MBKS office where there are plenty of free parking spaces,” he said.
He said people could also make e-payment through KCPS’ e-credit system via their smartphones.
“All these payment systems under present advanced technology has brought about convenience to everybody.
“Hence, the issue of extending the payment period of overparking fees should not be an issue,” added Chan.