Leuven parking tool for safe truck parking in bad papers – Flows

OTRA wants to make a difference with a mobile reservation tool with which the driver makes a guaranteed booking at a secure parking lot based on real-time parking information and makes an insured payment online. After reservation, drivers receive a QR code to enter the parking lot. The system is reminiscent of Booking.com for reserving a holiday accommodation.

Difficult waters

OTRA appears to be in difficult waters. The Leuven Corporate Court recently approved a judicial organization for the company. This is what business newspaper De Tijd reports. This is a system in which a company has the opportunity to draw up a restructuring plan under the supervision of a judge. In recent years, the figures of the Leuven company have become increasingly red.

The business model surrounding secure truck parking seems to be difficult to get off the ground. In October last year, Group Bruno announced that it would discontinue its secure truck parking facilities. The operator pointed to the low profitability of the Limburg facilities as the reason.

Willingness to pay

However, the need for safe and comfortable parking spaces is high, as the sector has repeatedly pointed out. At a conference in the European Parliament on the subject, the need for a change in mentality was raised. “Everyone wants secure and well-equipped parking lots, no one is against,” says Dirk Penasse of ESPORG, an organization that promotes safe truck parking in Europe. “For the business model of secure truck parking to succeed, there must be a willingness to pay to use such a parking lot.”