SPark – a smart parking mobile application that works as a digital coupon for parking in Kuching city – is expected to provide the needed convenience for Kuching citizens, according to Minister of Local Government and Housing YB Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
In his speech read by Assistant Minister of Local Government YB Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, he expressed the ministry’s hope for SPark to “make life easier for (Kuching) citizens” in terms of utilising parking spaces in the city, and for Kuching City Parking Systems Sdn Bhd (KCPS) that manages these spaces “to enhance and streamline their operations.”
This was stated before the signing of a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, KCPS and ODE Marketplace Sdn Bhd, which was witnessed by YB Datu Dr Penguang, State Secretary YB Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Vice-Chancellor of Swinburne University Professor Linda Kristjanson.
Signing the MoU were Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne Sarawak Professor John Wilson, Mayor of Kuching South City Hall (MBKS) YBhg Dato James Chan Khay Syn and Chief Executive Officer of ODE Marketplace Mr Wong Ka Bing.
The MoU outlined the collaboration between the parties on the development of SPark which works in tandem with the existing parking system operated by KCPS and the commercial implementation of SPark by OBE Marketplace and KCPS.
The application could potentially replace the printed coupon system once it is shown to effectively ease parking lots searching, payment and enforcement.
SPark was developed by Swinburne Sarawak through its Centre for Digital Futures in collaboration with ODE Marketplace. The pilot run of the application that will be carried out by KCPS will commence from 26th April to 25th May 2018, and is expected to provide invaluable insights crucial for the deployment of the application.
Available for download on Google Play, it will be open to Swinburne staff and students, followed by the public in stages.
