The Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) has extended the deadline for transferring parking credit balances from the MBJBSpot app to the new Parkmax@Johor app until December 31, 2023. This extension aims to provide users with more time to adapt to the new digital parking system, which was introduced on May 1, 2023. The mayor, Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad, emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth transition for all users, stating, 'We want to ensure that no user is left behind during the transition to the new system.'
The Parkmax@Johor app is used by six local councils in Johor for public street parking and has gained popularity, with 695,677 registered users as of the latest data. In contrast, the MBJBSpot app, which is being phased out, has over 400,000 users. The mayor assured that no enforcement action will be taken against those who have not yet migrated, as the council's focus is on facilitating the transition.
The migration process has received mixed feedback. Some users, like Stassie Lee, a 21-year-old student, encountered technical issues during the transfer, including system downtime and app lagging. However, others, such as Clerk Azri Azman, found the experience satisfactory, praising the sufficient notice period and the overall ease of the transfer process. Nurse L. Prema, 41, expressed a desire for an auto-deduction feature or reminders in future updates to enhance user convenience.
The initial transition period drew criticism from motorists who felt it was too short and raised concerns about unused MBJBSpot credit balances. However, the council addressed these concerns by clarifying that users could transfer their remaining credits to the new platform. The positive experiences of those who have switched to Parkmax@Johor suggest that the issues were largely resolved, and the unified platform is expected to provide greater convenience and improved parking services for Johor residents.
