Teething Problems Expected In Smart Parking System S Pilot Phase Penang Exco

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Penang will continue to proceed with the much-criticised Penang Smart Parking system despite the glitches and hiccups following the launch of the system on Sunday, Aug 18
Penang exco Jagdeep Singh Deo (photo, above) said similar to all pilot projects, they anticipated "teething problems" and welcomed feedback from the public
"We have identified two shortcomings in the PSP pilot project, first being the inability to download the application by Android users. This has been solved as of midnight last night"
"Second, being the failure to install 997 sensors throughout the state, which was due to the sensors being stuck in Hong Kong," he said at a press conference in Komtar today

Subang Jaya based HeiTech inked a seven-year concession with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) in May. They were supposed to install 647 sensors on the island and 350 on the mainland, but to date, only 30 sensors were installed on the island, while none were completed on the mainland
Both councils expressed their disappointment with the company yesterday
MBPP had issued show-cause letters on Aug 16 and Aug 19 for the company to explain the hiccups and the failure to install the required parking lot sensors. Hei-tech was given 14 days to respond
HeiTech was supposed to manage 36,000 of the state’s local council parking lots by August next year, and it will enjoy 65:35 profit sharing for the first five years (35 percent to the councils) and 60:40 in the final two years
The firm, via a private investment of RM115 million, will bear the cost of implementing the system and operating it throughout the seven-year contract
Jagdeep said the company has now given its commitment that the installation of the remaining sensors for the pilot project would be completed by Sept 24
He urged the public to give their feedback so that the state can enhance the system during its pilot run
Jagdeep said the full installation of 36,000 sensors throughout the state is expected to be completed by next July. - Mkini

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