The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Phuentsholing has taken a big step towards modernizing its parking system with the launch of its very first digital parking app, Parking.bt. The app was introduced on February 21, 2025, on the special occasion of His Majesty, The King’s birth anniversary.
The Parking.bt app was created through a collaboration between Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology (GCIT) and Green Parking Services, aligning with Bhutan’s ongoing efforts to digitize urban services. The main goal behind the development of the app was to offer a straightforward and dependable solution for better parking management, easing congestion and enhancing user convenience.
Using QR code technology, Parking.bt allows drivers to easily register within the app, generating a unique code upon parking. Parking attendants can then scan this code, which automatically calculates and collects the parking fee. This modernized system offers greater accuracy, transparency, and ease compared to traditional parking fee collection methods.
At present, the app is available for Android users and is actively being used in Phuentsholing, where it is already streamlining the parking process. Looking ahead, there are plans for the app’s expansion to other parts of Bhutan as part of a wider initiative to integrate digital solutions into urban management.
This initiative is in line with a broader vision to enhance the quality of life for residents, reduce traffic issues, and simplify everyday tasks through the use of digital tools. Parking.bt is poised to serve as a model for other towns in Bhutan and could play a crucial role in the development of future smart cities across the country.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the current fee structure applied through your online parking system. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and commend your initiative to digitalize the parking fee collection process. Transitioning to online systems is a commendable step towards improving efficiency and enhancing public service delivery. However, I would like to draw your attention to an issue that may be affecting users and potentially undermining the fairness and transparency of the new system.
Under the previous system, the fee for 30 minutes of parking was Nu. 20. This amounts to approximately Nu. 0.67 Per minute. Based on this rate, 40 minutes of parking should cost around Nu. 26.80. However, under the new online system, a charge of Nu. 40 is applied for the same 40-minute duration. This represents a significant increase and appears to be inconsistent with the previous rate structure.
Moreover, we have observed that once parking time exceeds 30 minutes—even by a single minute—the system immediately charges Nu. 40. For instance, a user parking for 31 minutes is charged the same amount as someone parking for 60 minutes, which raises questions about proportionality and fairness. This rigid billing system could be perceived as unjust by the public, especially those who slightly exceed the initial time limit unintentionally. The current pricing model does not appear to follow a per-minute billing system or a well-defined slab-based structure. As a result, the lack of clear guidelines and consistent calculations is likely to cause confusion and dissatisfaction among users.
In light of the above, I respectfully request your esteemed office to kindly review the current pricing algorithm applied in the online system. I would also appreciate it if you could provide the public with clear communication regarding the parking fee structure, including how charges are calculated and applied. Transparency in this matter will not only enhance public trust but also help prevent potential grievances.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I remain hopeful for a timely review and clarification.
Yours faithfully,