The Times of India       27.08.2014   

SMS-based parking system to be delayed

CHENNAI: The proposed system where motorists can book a parking slot by sending an SMS is likely to take a little longer to materialise.

The city corporation is expected to approve a proposal during Thursday's council meet to re-float tenders for the project as "the revenue model suggested by the three firms selected was found to be unviable".

As part of the proposed system, that was to be launched in 145 parking lots, an exclusive 'app' was to be developed for mobile phones to track parking availability. If launched, the city would have been the first in the country with such a system.

"The proposed system was to allow motorists to park vehicles without hassle. Since it is an automatic system, there is no scope for complaints of parking attendants fleecing motorists," said an official.

According to the plan, motorists can pay parking fee online or buy pre-paid coupons from special kiosks. "They have to register their name, vehicle number and mobile number on the website of the firm selected for the project. They have to send an SMS on reaching the parking slot and before leaving. The sum to be paid will be deducted from debit/credit card of the registered customer," said an official. Pre-paid coupons would be available at kiosks in each parking lot.

Urban planners have been urging the corporation to revise the parking fee but officials said they intended to retain current charges for four-wheelers at 5/hour.

"High parking fee will discourage motorists from using private vehicles and promote public transport," said an expert.

The corporation will share the revenue earned with the traffic police who will be tasked with cracking down on illegal parking.