In mid-February, the parking facility P-Aapeli, located in the city centre of Kuopio at Shopping Centre Aapeli, transitioned from a traditional Pay & Park model to the Autopay system. The main driver behind the change was the desire to make everyday life easier for customers.
According to Sari Mustapää, Asset Manager at Trevian, the previous system no longer reflected today’s customer behaviour.
“At Aapeli we had a system where customers had to know in advance how long they would spend on their visit. Sometimes, for example at the hairdresser or at the bank, things take longer than planned, and extending the parking time afterwards was more complicated.”
Autopay removes this challenge: parking is paid based on the actual parking time after the visit, so there is no need to estimate the duration in advance.
“Another benefit is that customers don’t necessarily have to download an app. Parking can also be paid afterwards according to the actual parking time either at the payment machine or without registration within 48 hours of exit at autopay.io,” Mustapää explains.
Downloading the Autopay Park & Charge app provides additional convenience. When a customer registers as a user and adds a payment card to their account, the system automatically recognizes the vehicle upon entry and exit and charges the parking fee automatically.
A smooth and effortless transition
From the client’s perspective, the transition to the camera-based Autopay system progressed smoothly. The implementation was carried out in a controlled manner in cooperation with EuroPark, and ready-made communication materials were provided to support the change. These were published through different channels to inform customers.
“The transition turned out to be surprisingly easy after the agreement was signed. We received ready-made materials from EuroPark that helped us communicate the change to the shopping centre’s tenants and customers,” says Mustapää.
From EuroPark’s perspective, the smooth outcome was the result of careful planning and phased implementation.
”Overall, the transition went according to plan. When a site is carefully planned in advance, the installation and commissioning phases also proceed in a controlled manner,” says Miguel Ferreira, Head of Development at EuroPark Finland.
The process began with a detailed site planning visit, during which the spaces and technical requirements for the system were assessed. The necessary device cabling was completed by the contractor according to the original schedule, enabling the installation of payment machines, cameras, and the communications network to proceed smoothly. The installation of parking guidance signage also progressed quickly thanks to comprehensive planning.
However, each site has its own specific characteristics.
“At P-Aapeli, camera placements were more challenging than usual due to intersecting traffic inside the facility and the presence of a loading dock. In sites like this, the importance of careful planning becomes even more critical,” Ferreira explains.
As part of the transition, customer guidance and signage were improved and modernised, ensuring that all necessary information is clearly visible throughout the facility. In addition, a display was installed at the exit to inform customers about the status of their parking as they leave.
Overall, the system transition was completed as planned and on schedule.
Shopping Centre Aapeli is located in the heart of Kuopio city centre, next to the renovated market square and the historic market hall, surrounded by easily accessible pedestrian streets. Arriving at Aapeli is also convenient by car thanks to its own parking facility as well as the nearby market square parking. Due to its central location, smooth and effortless parking is an essential part of the overall customer experience