Authority unveils free SMS offer for paid parking in Dubai
New initiative to encourage public to use mobile phone 'mParking' service but offer only valid until November 18
Dubai: Motorists will not be charged for any SMS sent while using the paid parking service courtesy of the mobile phone facility, ‘mParking'. However, the offer is valid for a limited period only.
The new initiative has been taken by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with etisalat to encourage more people use the mParking service.
However, the offer is valid only until November 18.
Normally, most motorists avoid using the mParking facility because it costs more. By using the mParking service, motorists currently pay 30 fils for SMS charges to etisalat in addition to the parking charges.
Many motorists believe that a one month, free-SMS offer is not good enough.
"Motorists should not be charged for the SMS cost ever if they use the mParking service for it will encourage more people use the service," said Abdul Rahman, a Deira resident.
He said he still prefers to use the coins or card as it costs him much less. Engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, chief executive officer of the RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency, said the special offer was introduced to encourage the public to use the mParking service more frequently.
Extending parking time
The best thing about the mParking system is that a person can extend the parking time from any location if he is unable to get to his vehicle before his paid parking time expires.
The system is easy to use. A user must check the parking zone code registered in the payment machine in the paid parking zone. Then send an SMS to the number 7275 (which corresponds to the word PARK).
The SMS will include the vehicle number plate, parking zone code, and the required parking period. The money is deducted from the mobile phone balance.
The control room will send an SMS confirming the payment and automatically transmit the number plate of the vehicle to the parking warden stating that the parking fee chargeable to a particular vehicle has been paid.
A reminder SMS will be sent to the user 10 minutes before the expiry of the paid period.
Will this encourage more people to use the mParking service? Have you used the service before? Do you feel that it is more convenient than the traditional way of paying?
