VietNamNet Bridge – Fraudulent charges have been reported at iParking spots in Hanoi a year since the programme started.

An iParking attendant asks a driver to pay VNĐ50,000 for a parking slot. — Photo tienphong.vn

First piloted on downtown streets of Tran Hung Dao and Ly Thuong Kiet in Hoan Kiem District, the iParking service is now being deployed at 156 spots in seven urban districts. According to the city People’s Committee, the technology is expected to improve financial transparency and cashless payment for parking.

Although it was initially announced that all international payment cards and mobile carriers are accepted, parking fees can only paid with a Viettel mobile phone account. Otherwise, car owners have to pay by cash.

At iParking spots in Hoan Kiem and Hai Ba Trung districts, staff have collected fees without giving tickets to car owners, the Tiền phong (Vanguard) newspaper reports.

The iParking spots between 35 and 39 To Hien Thanh Street managed by Anh Duy Company, for example, require users to pay via mobile phone. However, instead of instructing drivers to use their phones, staff asked them to pay VND25,000 (US$1) in cash for an hour’s parking without giving them a ticket.

At another iParking spot managed by the same company on Thai Phien Street, staff were seen charging drivers VND50,000 ($2) to park for 15 minutes while the notice board indicates a fee of VND25,000 for 60 minutes. Despite drivers’ complaints, they insisted on the higher price.

A similar situation occurred at iParking spots on other central streets including Le Thanh Tong, Tue Tinh and Ly Dao Thanh.

Ha Noi Department of Transport has launched an investigation into those spots and detected several violations including not indicating occupied parking spaces in the central system, not issuing tickets and allowing cars to park outside regulated areas. Moreover, regarding cars parked for a second or third hour, the system is unable to automatically update the time.

The interdisciplinary agency of the city transport department, police and finance department has also asked 12 districts to tighten management and handle violations regarding fraudulent charges at iParking spots. However, until now, only three districts of Dong Da, Thanh Xuan and Bac Tu Liem have agreed to collaborate.

According to Ha Noi Department of Transport, all information relating to car parking should be available online, and car owners should be able to use their smartphones to find and book parking spaces in advance.

The parking fees are calculated based on duration and can be paid via mobile phone or bank accounts. This technology follows the city’s effort to improve urban traffic management and uphold transparency in collecting parking fees. 

Source: VNS