Earlier this year in January, kiplePark, a mobile payment solution for parking ended its pilot project, much to the dismay of some users (me included). The good news is, the app is back, and apparently better. There is a catch, though.
But first, a primer. kiplePark is developed by Webonline Dot Com Sdn Bhd, a licensed e-money issuer which also powers Webcash, a growing e-wallet in Malaysia as well an payment platform for e-commerce businesses.
kiplePark lets you pay for parking by scanning a physical parking ticket, then making payment via a mobile e-wallet. The e-wallet can be topped up via internet banking.
The pilot project, which ran for several months covered only Menara VSQ at Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya, where I work. kiplePark partnered Edisijuta Parking Sdn Bhd, the parking operators for the building.
Earlier today, I received an email from kiplePark which proudly announced, “We’re ready!”
Now that it’s back, is it better? In short, yes.
The app now has a brand new look and feel, and while design is subjective, I’d say it’s definitely better than the pilot version.
The new version adds a couple of new tricks to the bag. Firstly, parking receipts can now be sent via email.
Also, kiplePark now accepts credit cards as a top-up option, expanding from the previous online banking-only option.
As part of an intro promo, kiplePark is absorbing bank top-up charges of MYR1.06 (inclusive of GST) for any transactions from now until 30 June 2018.
So far so good? Great. Now for the bad news.
My expectation for kiplePark was that it would return, and then made available at more locations. I’m disappointed that locations have not changed, still limited to Menara VSQ at this point.
Granted, it will take some time and effort to get parking operators onboard seeing that there are other existing payment systems out there, but it would have been more than nice.
Still, I’m delighted that the service is back, and I’m confident it can only get better with time.
If you’re around Menara VSQ, download kiplePark for free on Android and iOS.
Just so you know, the old app can no longer be used, so you’ll need to download the new official version.
