MyTruckparking, the innovative real-time parking reservation system launched last year by Ashford International Truckstop, is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play for Android.
Since its launch as a web-based app last year, MyTruckparking has helped contribute to Ashford International Truckstop operating close to its 300 space capacity each night, helping improve freight management and reduce inappropriate and illegal parking of HGVs in the local area.
The MyTruckparking App allows drivers and transport managers to reserve a guaranteed space, gives real-time alerts and sends images of the vehicle to the driver’s traffic management teams at head office on arrival and departure.
All vehicles are parked in a secure compound with driver facilities close to Junction 10 of the M20.
Darren Smith, General Manager of Ashford International Truckstop, said: “The MyTruckparking App has proved to be a great success and is popular with users. Being available from the App Store and Google Play takes it up a level and we expect to see a significant increase in demand.
“Clearly, we have a capacity, which since the launch of the web-based App we reach five or six nights a week and are close to it on the other nights.”
Ashford International Truck Stop, which was voted best national truck stop of 2016, currently provides secure parking for 300 trucks and their drivers and has a big-screen sports bar and restaurant, cash machine, showers, laundry facilities, a gym, and truck repairs and truckwash service.
Darrell Healey, Managing Director of GSE Group, which owns and operates the Ashford International Truckstop, added: “We have plans to extend and improve the facilities as part of a wider scheme to develop the Waterbrook Park site on which it sits.
“Those plans would increase the capacity and help us meet the growing demand we are seeing since the launch of the MyTruckparking App.”
He added this would have the added benefit for Ashford of helping reduce the number of illegally parked lorries around the town overnight, as drivers and fleet managers booking through the App know they are guaranteed a space.
“This certainty is key to tackling illegal parking, which is often caused by drivers arriving on spec at official truckstops very close to the end of their permitted driving hours, only to find them full, meaning they pull up wherever they can to avoid breaking driving laws,” said Darrell.
