The days of having to stop to wait for your KAPS ticket may be coming to an end sooner than you think. Sarit Centre is working in conjunction with software developers and managers of the public car parks (currently KAPS Ltd) to introduce a pre-paid parking card.

It aims to reduce queueing at the pay machines and the need to carry coins. The card is used much like how the Google beba card is but can only be used to access the main car park and other customer parking in lower Kabete, Express and all other parks the mall may create in the future.

How to get the card

One is required to fill in a form to provide their contact details and National Identification number. A fee of KES 200 is charged when issuing a new card and a minimum of KES 1000 is required to top it up. The fees are payable upon completing the form and printing the card takes no more than 5 minutes.

The minimum balance allowed is KES 100 and a notice is sent to the account holder should the balance reach the credit floor. In the event that one loses their card, they can get it replaced for a fee of KES 500 and any balance transferred to the new card provided it is reported at the time of loss. Top-ups are done in units of KES 1000 and are not redeemable.

The card uses Near Field Communication and one only need hold it by the machine at the entrance. It displays your current balance and charge for parking upon exit. In the event it doesn't display your balance, simply access their website and key in your username and password and it will show you the information you seek.

Use of cards can also be seen at Nakumatt lifestyle and Nakumatt junction (coming soon). Amongst the innovators at the front of this revolution is Google, with an early introduction of the beba card for use in public transport. The use of cards is making the need to carry money unnecessary as Kenya evolves deeper in to the realm of cashless economies.