Kuching leads with Asean’s first unified smart parking: Pay & Go serves all, including seniors

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 28: Kuching city has achieved two regional firsts in Asean with the rollout of the fully digital and cashless Pay & Go Smart Parking System, which integrates both commercial and council on-street parking under a single mobile app and introduces the largest e-bike License Plate Recognition (LPR) enforcement deployment in Southeast Asia.

Pay & Go chief executive officer Eddie Wee said the unified system marks a major milestone for Kuching’s digital transformation in urban mobility.

“This is a very big achievement for Kuching, and we are extremely proud of it. The app brings both commercial and council parking under one platform, covering more than 30,000 parking bays city-wide,” he said.

He highlighted this during a briefing after launching the Smart Parking System for Kuching City alongside Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman at MBKS’ Council Chamber today.

As part of the system, Wee revealed that 200 electric bikes equipped with LPR cameras will patrol parking zones to ensure compliance. These cameras not only capture vehicle plate numbers but also record surrounding areas, an innovation that can help deter car thefts and enhance urban safety.

“We’ve innovated by introducing LPR-equipped e-bikes for enforcement. Wardens will patrol parking areas, and the system can instantly detect whether motorists have paid or exceeded their parking duration.

“Charges will appear in the app. For non-app users, a paper compound with a QR code will be issued, allowing convenient cashless payment. So this means that even visitors renting a car can park with convenience,” he explained.

Under the new system, which covers parking areas under MBKS and DBKU, motorists can pay for parking in three convenient ways, either through the Pay & Go app, by scanning QR codes displayed at parking zones, or via cashless kiosks installed around the city.

Once parked, users simply open the app or scan the QR code, select their vehicle number, set the parking duration, and pay using e-wallets, debit or credit cards, or online banking. No physical coupons are needed, as LPR-enabled e-bikes and handheld scanners verify payments in real time.

Wee emphasised that the system was designed to be inclusive and user-friendly, ensuring no one is left behind, particularly senior citizens.

From Nov 1, elderly motorists aged 60 and above can register under the Elderly Easy Payment (EEP) scheme through MBKS, DBKU, or the Pay & Go Customer Support and Service Centre. Each registrant may link up to two vehicle plate numbers.

“Once registered, elderly users don’t even need to open the app. Just park and go about your day, the wardens’ e-bikes will automatically scan your car, and the parking fee will be deducted from your account. It’s simple, seamless, and inclusive,” he added.

Another standout feature is real-time parking availability, which may be the first of its kind in Malaysia. Through colour indicators, green for high availability and red for low, users can check parking occupancy before arriving, helping them save time, fuel, and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a greener Kuching.

The Pay & Go system also promotes sustainability by eliminating paper coupons and ensuring fair, accurate billing.

“If you pay for one and a half hours but need to leave after just 30 minutes due to an emergency, you can simply tap the stop button. You’ll only be charged for the actual time used, and the balance will be refunded to your Pay & Go account,” Wee said.

The trial run for the new system will take place from Nov 1 to Dec 31, 2025, across MBKS and DBKU areas, with full implementation scheduled for Jan 1, 2026. — DayakDaily

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