Pay and Go answers FAQ on Kuching Smart Parking System – Reveals how you can save on parking as well

Pay and Go, which recently took over Kuching Public Parking (also known as Council Parking) via the Kuching Smart Parking System has shared numerous interesting details regarding their services when using the Pay and Go app.

Most interesting was how one can save a few extra cent and ringgit when using the app, as compared to the previous Kuching City Parking System physical coupon system.

How can you save when using Pay and Go?

Based on a Q&A session during ShallWeeTalk, Pay and Go’s representative, Desmond Liew’s explanation regarding the app revealed that one does not need to pay or activate a new digital parking coupon if he or she still has time left on the current digital parking coupon.

He elaborates that one can continue to use the left over time if the vehicle is parked within the same council.

Desmond also shared that significant unused time left on a particular activated digital parking coupon, can result in refunds if the user deactivates or stops the parking countdown before it hits the next 30 minutes charging block.

This means that if you activate your digital parking coupon for 4 hours in an MBKS area, but return to the car after just 20 minutes, and you stop the coupon coundown clock immediately. You can save on the leftover fees which hasn’t been charged.

This is because the balance of 3 hours and 30 minutes you innitially paid for parking would be refunded with Pay and Go only charging for the first 30 minutes used.

Alternatively, if you decide to move your vehicle to another spot, but the new parking is still within the same council (in this case, it’s MBKS), your coupon remains valid for use as long as you do not stop the coundown clock for the digital coupon.

This is unlike the old KCPS physical system which needs you to scratch a new coupon everytime you change parking spots, with any already used parking coupons technically considered used and therefore wasted.

Other FAQ related to Pay and Go in Kuching.

Other important questions and answers obtained from the sharing session are listed below.

• How does the car tracking system work? Enforcement is currently done by wardens scanning vehicle plates. In the near future, 200 e-bikes equipped with License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras will be deployed. A 30-minute digital coupon is valid across all streets within the same council area (MBKS or DBKU).
• How does the Elderly Easy Payment (EEP) work? EEP is for motorists aged 60 and above. The first scan deducts 20 sen (for the first 30 minutes). Charges are calculated per 30-minute block (20 sen, then 50 sen, then 80 sen, etc.).
• If I bought 1.5 hours of parking but leave early, how is the refund calculated? Refunds are based on unused 30-minute blocks, but only if the next block has not yet started. For example, if you leave after 20 minutes of a 1.5-hour purchase, you can refund the remaining one hour.
• If I parked in MBKS, bought a 20-sen coupon, but moved to DBKU, is my coupon still valid? No. The coupon is only valid within the council area it was purchased for (MBKS or DBKU). Moving to a different council area requires purchasing a new coupon.
• What about EEP users entering shopping malls? EEP is recognized at all Pay and Go-linked shopping malls (except AEON Mall). Users must activate the “Commercial Parking” feature in their myEEP to enable automatic deduction upon exit.
• Why do some people only notice the deduction after they reach home? Pay and Go uses a two-step verification process to prevent incorrect charges, which can delay the appearance of the deduction by up to 1 to 1.5 hours.
• How can I top up my Pay and Go account? Users without a bank account or debit card can make a cash top-up at the CityOne Council Parking office.
• How are cars that stay for 35 minutes charged? If you leave at 35 minutes under EEP, you are only charged for the first 30-minute block. However, users who manually purchase coupons must ensure the coupon covers the full duration to avoid an overparking compound.
• How can I change my car number? Digital coupon users can update it in the app. EEP users must unregister the old number and reapply with the new one. Season pass holders must contact customer support.
• How do I know whether a parking area belongs to MBKS or DBKU? The system has been simplified; users only need to select MBKS or DBKU. The app’s “Current Location” button can use GPS to determine the correct council.
• What if I accidentally select the wrong area? The operator will overlook unintentional mistakes as the system can verify the actual location using GPS, photographs, and time records.
• For non-app users, how do I check if a compound has been issued, and how do I pay it? A printed compound slip will be placed on the vehicle. Payment can be made at the Pay and Go office in CityOne Mall or by scanning the QR code on the slip using SPay Global or other e-wallets.
• Why are compounds issued during the trial period? The entire system, including enforcement, must run together during the trial to test thoroughly, gather accurate data, identify bugs, and ensure everything functions smoothly before the full rollout.
• How does council parking work for foreign cars? Foreign-registered vehicles can scan QR code signages (to be installed soon), enter their car plate numbers, and make payment using SPay Global or online banking.
• What if a company car is registered under multiple Pay and Go accounts? Yes, if the same vehicle is linked to several accounts, every account will receive a compound notification.
• There are rumours that some motorists add extra letters to their car plates to confuse scanning devices. MBKS strongly warns against this, stating that altering car plates is illegal and can lead to severe legal consequences, including blacklisting from using Pay and Go.

Source of information: DayakDaily, ShallWeeTalk