Sydney drivers may now use Apple CarPlay to access the NSW government’s contentious parking app, Park’nPay, from the centre console of their vehicles.
In a LinkedIn post on Thursday, digital minister Victor Dominello disclosed the functionality for a “easier and more convenient parking experience.”
The in-car capability is now only available on iOS, which accounts for more than half of all smartphone sales, with Android Auto expected to arrive in the “coming” months.
In October 2019, Park’nPay was introduced to allow cars to pay for parking without having to use a parking metre.
In recent months, new functionality has been introduced to indicate real-time availability of on-street and off-street parking, as well as electric vehicle charging stations, in some suburbs.
The software is presently available in 11 local government districts, but the government aims to make it the “one integrated app” for parking throughout the state in the future.
Dominello is said to have asked mayors throughout Sydney to implement Park’nPay in an effort to reduce traffic congestion.
The administration was grilled by the opposition last month about its decision to utilise Duncan Solutions as the app’s payment gateway and API provider without holding a tender.
Dominello justified the decision, claiming it was based on the results of an early trial in the Rocks in October of this year.
“We did a pilot in The Rocks, and Duncan Solutions has the metres in The Rocks,” he said, adding that the contract would be put out to market soon.
In response to inquiries about the warning, the Department of Customer Service has given more information.
“Given that the required data, links, and information is not available from any other source,” it added, “OneGov undertook direct sourcing from Duncan Solutions rather than open tender.”
Park’nPay presently costs the government $1.47 million per year to manage and maintain, while the government aims to recuperate some of the cost from local governments through a chargeback scheme.
