‘Frictionless Parking’ debuts in Malaysia thru UnionPay, Sonicboom

UnionPay has partnered with cashless parking provider Sonicboom Solutions to launch Frictionless Parking to enable GoPayz UnionPay customers to park in the city without using cash, card or collecting parking ticket. 

With this launch, parking at Desa Sentul Commercial Park and Metro Point Complex in the Klang Valley area is seamless as GoPayz UnionPay customers only need to register their car plate info in their GoPayz app to enjoy cashless and contactless parking at these two locations.

The driver need not collect a parking ticket when entering the parking gantry, as the system automatically recognises the pre-registered car plate upon entry. 

Exiting will be also be fast and convenient as drivers need not look for autopay machine, QR Codes to scan, or pay in cash or card. Parking charges based on actual usage will automatically be deducted from the UnionPay Virtual Card in the GoPayz app. The charges will appear real time in GoPayz app transaction history for receipting.

Frictionless Parking uses Sonicboom’s Licence Plate Recognition technology, a usage scenario in the UnionPay International Content & Service Platform (UCSP).

The UCSP integrates various mobile payment scenarios into a mobile payment ecosystem, enhancing consumer’s payment experiences for everyday purchases. Aside from parking, other usage scenarios include transit, benefits, coupons, tax refund and more. 

We believe that Frictionless Parking will improve the payment experiences for our customers, especially the busy Malaysian consumers who are always on the go,” said Huiming Cai, general manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia. “In the future, we hope to introduce more usage scenarios under the UCSP to further enhance mobile payment experiences.”

Also, UnionPay has partnered Sonicboom to enable UnionPay Contactless parking at sites across Kuala Lumpur, including the Tun Razak Exchange 106 (TRX), Pavilion Shopping Mall, Plaza Arkadia, Desa Park City, The Majestic Hotel and plans to extend to more sites in next two years. 

In the future, UnionPay customers will be able to park around Klang Valley by just waving their UnionPay card upon entry and exit. With no surcharge and pre-authorisation, everyone can enjoy the convenience of cashless parking.

“Enabling contactless payment for UnionPay at parking sites makes perfect sense during this pandemic, it not only reduces cash usage, but also creates an eco-friendly and safe driving experience,” said Desiree Chow, head of comms and partnership at Sonicboom Solutions.