Parking enforcement in Suva City is poised for a significant transformation with the introduction of the Bula Parki platform, which will facilitate cashless payments and enable real-time monitoring. This innovative system will replace traditional manual parking methods, streamlining operations and enhancing compliance for the Suva City Council.
Dineshwar Lal, Managing Director of D2UNET, emphasized that the platform modernizes parking by integrating technology with cashless transactions, allowing for improved oversight throughout the city. The Bula Parki app is designed to enable council officers to monitor parking activity with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Lal noted the importance of urban mobility, highlighting the daily challenges commuters face with traffic congestion and the struggle to find parking in city areas. He described the new platform as a crucial initial step towards providing more flexibility and ease of access to the Suva City region.
In addition to facilitating cashless payments, Lal mentioned that the digital system will gather data on parking trends, peak usage times, and turnover rates. This information will be invaluable for the council in managing the city’s limited parking resources more effectively. The integration of this technology is expected to create a more convenient and consistent experience for both motorists and local businesses.
Tevita Boseiwaqa, Chair of the Suva City Council, acknowledged ongoing concerns regarding non-operational parking meters, which have hindered the effectiveness of traditional parking enforcement. He pointed out that the challenge stems from the unavailability of replacement parts as suppliers have shifted focus to digital parking solutions. Transitioning to digital parking meters is seen as the necessary solution to this long-standing issue.
The Bula Parki platform will initially be implemented in council-owned car parks, with plans for expansion into inner city areas following necessary amendments to laws governing parking in Suva. This transition marks an exciting development for the city, paving the way for a more efficient and user-friendly parking system that meets the needs of modern urban living.