UbiPark, RACV unite to improve ‘transport experience’
July 22, 2019
As featured in The Australian, July 9, 2019
By Supratim Adhikari, Technology Editor
Smart parking app UbiPark is teaming with the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria to drive the parking capabilities of the club and mutual organisation’s latest journey app, arevo.
Launched in February, arevo is one of the first mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) apps outside Europe. It lets Melburnians plan, play and access all of their transport options.
Parking is part of arevo’s overall offering. The partnership with UbiPark is designed to help users better navigate and access on and off-street parking.
UbiPark uses existing data to show users live on-street parking availability in real-time, offering details such as pricing, restrictions and hours of operation.
With MaaS gaining popularity, UbiPark CEO Mosstyn Howell said that stand-alone parking apps were likely to be phased out in the coming years.
“They will become part of transport apps where you are doing a lot more than just find and pay for parking”. Mr Howell told The Australian. “Mobility-as-a-Service is the next natural evolution in transportation. It’s a…highly personalised service that enables us to make smarter, more sustainable transport decisions.
“The partnership will see arevo’s users get the same service as what they would get from the UbiPark app, so it’s great to see RACV look at parking as an important part of the overall transport equation.”
The eventual influx of new technologies, such as sensors and internet-connected infrastructure, is likely to make things even more interesting. According to Mr Howell, this will open the door to offering commuters real-time information on supply and demand – such as parking availability at their nearest station.
RACV General Manager Mobility, Elizabeth Kim, said strategic partnerships, like the one with UbiPark, were critical to improving the transport experience.
“We are in a unique position to help improve on the congestion issues in Melbourne, and our partnership with UbiPark will help us do just that.”
Supratim Adhikari, Technology Editor
Supratime Adhikari is The Australian’s technology editor. He has covered the technology and telecommunications sector for over a decade with particular focus on the National Broadband Network.