RTA Launches mParking Service to Pay Parking Fees

RTA Launches mParking Service to Pay Parking Fees

Dubai (United Arab Emirates): The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) launched mParking Service for paying parking fees in all RTA paid public parking zones in the emirate of Dubai through the mobile phone. The service is part of RTA strategy to provide integrated solutions of road systems that keep pace with the sweeping development plans in the emirate of Dubai, and in line with the highest international standards.

Engineer Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency said: “The mParking service launched by the RTA in cooperation with Etisalat is the first of its kind in the UAE. It aims at easing the use of public parking for Dubai residents & visitors, thus saving their time & effort in paying fees of using controlled parking zones through the mobile phone (Etisalat). The system covers both GSM and Wasel lines by sending an SMS from the office, home or any other place; saving the inconvenience of searching for coins or renewing the validity of the parking ticket.

“The service will be applied through several phases starting with RTA parking zones at Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City. Afterwards it will be gradually generalized to all RTA public parking in the emirate of Dubai; with Phase 2 covering Bur Dubai, and Phase 3 covering Deira.

“The system will maintain the coins system and the currently valid cards, so the new service is an added value to the list of services provided by RTA to customers in the context of diverse & multiple options offered to parking users. Under the new procedure, after parking the vehicle at the parking, the customer sends an SMS to 7275 (PARK) quoting the plate category & number, followed by the area code displayed in the signboard, and the required parking period. The customer will then receive an SMS confirming the completion of the process; which is considered an e-ticket showing the period permitted for using the parking.

“The mParking service provides several benefits to users; as no registration is required for benefiting from the service. However, customers who sign up through the website: www.mpark.rta.ae/ will find it much easier as they can link the details of their vehicle plates with short names of their choice; which can be used in paying the parking fees.

“Among the other benefits provided by the service is the possibility of paying the fees from any location without having to walk to the machine, and there will be no need to carry coins. The number of hours needed for using the parking could be set and the user will receive an SMS confirmation in a short time (e-ticket), and another reminder SMS 10 minutes before the expiry of the prescribed parking period so that the user can decide to extend the parking time or leave the parking to avoid any offences. Should the user opt to renew, it will be a very easy process just through sending an SMS including the letter “Y”, or (ن) in Arabic, as the system is bilingual (A/E) so that all customers can use it without any language barriers. The SMS has to include the number of the required extension hours. So if an SMS reply is received in the user’s mobile phone containing the details of an e-ticket extension, this means that the parking use period has been extended for the number of hours specified in the user’s extension SMS. Payment will be adjusted through direct debit from the balance of the mobile phone or telephone bill of the phone operator.

“Registration and benefiting from the service has been made so easy for users. Owners of private vehicles registered in the emirate of Dubai do not need prior registration to the service i.e. they can benefit from the service at any time. Owners of vehicles registered in other emirates will have to complete an easy registration process through www.mpark.rta.ae/.

“Information regarding parking will be automatically updated such that parking users issued with e-tickets will not be subjected to fines by parking controllers as their PDAs are linked to the main service provider through GPRS. So when the parking controller enters the details of the vehicle, all valid & expired permits in the zone will be displayed; thereby can verify if an e-ticket is issued or not” concluded Maitha.

In the same context, Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer of Etisalat said: “Cooperation with the RTA in offering mParking service demonstrates that both parties are keen to cooperate in the public interest and serve all segments of the community through providing sophisticated technologies saving much time and effort. Provision of this service through Etisalat reflects the intention of the Co. to utilize the multiple features of mobile phones for the benefit of customers, and contribute to easing their daily life through offering innovative & comfortable services to pay various fees. This initiative is in line with Etisalat Strategy aiming at broadening its mobile phone-linked payment services to cover other sectors & services to meet the needs of our corporate and individual customers”.

Photos:
- Engineer Maitha bin Adai
- Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar
- The system displaying the service in English