Transient Rates
Transient rates are what causal or transient parkers encounter when they park on the go.
Rate Types
Inugo has a sophisticated rate creator to allow you to create rate updates instantaneously from the Customer Management Portal to the app.
We support the following rate types:
Rate name | When to use |
Casual/ Anytime | Casual rate is the basic short-term rate for most parking sites. Only one casual rate is allowed during the same time period for the same user group. |
Day time rate | Day-time rate is a casual rate with a preset time (7am to 5pm) which can be edited in the wizard. This means a day-time rate cannot overlap with a casual rate during the same time period for the same user group. |
After hours rate | The after-hour rate is a casual rate with a preset time (5pm to 7am) which can be edited in the wizard. This means that an after-hour rate cannot overlap with a casual rate or a day-time rate during the same time period for the same user group. |
Early bird | A user is eligible for an early bird rate if the user meets the early bird condition. The early bird condition is set by the site operator. For a user to be eligible for early-bird rates, they must meet the entry or exit period requirements, or both. An early bird rate can overlap with a casual rate, but not with another early bird rate. When both a casual rate and an early bird rate exist during the same period, the lesser-rate will be charged. Normally, the lesser-rate is the early bird rate. |
After hours early bird | A user is eligible for an after hours early bird rate if the user meets the after hours early bird condition. The after hours early bird condition is set by the site operator. For a user to be eligible for rates, they must meet the entry or exit period requirements, or both. An after hours early bird rate can overlap with a casual rate, but not with another after hours early bird rate. When both a casual rate and an after hours early bird rate exist during the same period, the lesser-rate will be charged. Normally, the lesser-rate is the after hours early bird rate. |
One off/Event rate | The event rate is a one-off rate that exists only during specified time periods (e.g. during a concert). The event rate is the most prioritized rate, meaning if multiple rates exist during the same period for the same user group, the user will be charged for the event rate over other rates. |
Advanced/ complex rate | The advanced rate deals with complex situations where a rate applies to multiple days in a week on a regular occurrence or specified duration condition has to be met. |
Key Terms
Validation rate
A validation rate is a rate that is applied by proximity to a validation beacon. An example of a validation rate might be creating differential pricing for retail customers who can apply the new rate by visiting the retail area and validating their session. The validation beacon must be configured to apply a validation rate to a session as its validation rule. For more information on validation see the validation guide.
Standard rate
A standard rate is a rate that will be charged per specified time unit and the price is consistent over each time unit. For example, a standard rate can be set up to charge $3 per hour. The time units are shown as follows:
5 Mins
10 Mins
15 Mins
30 Mins
1 Hour
2 Hours
12 Hours
1 Day
Varied over time
A varied rate is used to deal with more complex rates where a rate can change over time. For example, a varied rate can be set up to charge $3 the first hour and $5 every following hour. The user can customize the session duration for each charge and the max total price of the duration. The charging time units are shown as follows:
5 Mins
10 Mins
15 Mins
30 Mins
1 Hour
Once
Flat Rate
A flat rate is used to enable the ability to charge a parker for a time specific rate based on their session start time, not based on the time periods that the session straddles. Enabling this setting overrides the time brackets of the rate and reconciles the time periods to the parkers session time. I.e., If a rate of $50/day applies from 0:00 to 23:59, and a user parks from 20:00 Friday to 15:59 Saturday, enabling the flat rate will mean that the user is charged $50 not $100. Not enabling the setting would charge the parker $100 as their parking session straddles 2 rate time periods. Flat rate can only be specified in the rate summary page.
Rates in the customer management portal
This section covers what you see in the customer management portal under the rates section.
Rate Tester
The transient rates can be tested using rater tester in the page. This allows you to enter parking scenarios and view the rate outcomes. We recommend that you test your rates vigorously to ensure there are no rate gaps.
Rate settings
Maximum Rate Period
Select a period of time to set the maximum amount chargeable to. i.e., choose 12 hours. then in the next setting define the amount that is the maximum charged in that period.
Maximum amount per period
Allows you to enter a maximum that a parker can be charged in the corresponding maximum rate period you have selected in the previously set. i.e., if the maximum rate period is 12 hours, then in this setting set the maximum amount that can be charge in a 12 hour period.
Grace Period
The grace period is a time duration set up by the car park operator, used to give parkers time to find parking space before starting charging the user. For example, if the grace period is set up as 10 minutes, the parker has 10 minutes to find a space to park. If the user does not find a space within 10 minutes, the parker can leave the car park and be charged free.
The options for a grace period in the portal are:
1 minute
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
More information
Rate Exclusivity Hierarchy Diagram
Use this chart to understand what rate will be charged where there are multiple rates overlapping.
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Rate Configuration flow chart
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Rate Overlapping & Block Crossing Calculation Rules and Case Example
Rules
High exclusivity value always overlap low exclusivity, doesn't matter the rate fee
Same exclusivity rate, charge the cheaper rate
Group rate always overlaps the public rate, doesn't matter the rate fee
For early bird or complex rate. If the parking session meet the rate time block, then it will overlap the casual rate
Case Example
Rate Settings | Parking Time | Fee Break Down | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Early bird overlapping: Casual Rate: $12.00/hr 8:00 - 17:00 Night Rate: $20.00/once 17:00 - 00:00 Early Bird Rate: $24.00/day
| Situation 1: 9:00 - 17:00 Situation 2: 9:00 - 19:00 | Situation 1: Early Bird Rate - 1 day: $24.00 Situation 2: Casual Rate - 8 hrs: $12.00 * 8 = $96.00 Night Rate - once: $20.00 | Situation 1: $24.00 Situation 2: $116.00 | Situation 1: The parking time meet the early bird rate criteria, so early bird rate overlaps casual and night rate. Situation 2: The parking time did not meet the early bird rate criteria. So the parking session cross two blocks which is casual rate and night rate. |
Early bird overlapping: Casual Rate: $12.00/hr 8:00 - 17:00 Night Rate: $20.00/once 17:00 - 00:00 Early Bird Rate: $150.00/day
| 9:00 - 17:00 | Casual Rate - 8 hrs: $12.00 * 8 = $96.00 Night Rate - once: $20.00 | $116.00 | Even though the session meet early bird rate criteria, but early bird rate is more expensive than casual rate and night rate. In this situation, cheaper rate should apply. |
Group casual rate overlapping: Casual Rate: $15.00/hr All Day Group Casual Rate: $5.00/hr All Day | 8:00 - 10:00 (Group User) | Group Rate - 2 hrs: $5.00 * 2 = $10.00 | $10.00 | Group rate exclusivity is higher than casual rate. If the user is in the group, group rate should apply. |
Event rate overlapping: Casual Rate: $15.00/hr 00:00 - 23:59 Event Rate: $25.00/hr 15:00 - 18:00 | 13:00 - 17:00 | Casual Rate - 2 hrs: $15.00 * 2 = $30.00 Event Rate - 2 hrs: $25.00 * 2 = $50.00 | $80.00 | Even though event rate is more expensive, but event rate has higher exclusivity, so event rate overlaps casual rate if the session is within event rate time range |
Group event rate overlapping: Group event rate: $12.00/hr 13:00 - 15:00 Event rate: $30.00/hr 13:00 - 15:00 | 13:00 - 14:00 (Group User) | Group Event Rate - 1 hr: $12.00 | $12.00 | Group event rate has higher exclusivity, so it overlaps the public event rate. In this case, if group event rate is more expensive, the group event rate still apply. |
Complex/Advance rate overlapping: Complex Rate: $30.00/day
Casual Rate: $12.00/hr All Day | Enter 8:00 on Monday Exit 16:00 on Friday | Complex Rate - 5 days: $30.00 * 5 = $150.00 | $150.00 | If the session meet the complex rate criteria, then complex rate overlaps casual rate. |
Complex Rate and Event Rate: Complex Rate: $30.00/day
Event rate: $30.00/hr 13:00 - 15:00 Thursday | Enter 8:00 on Monday Exit 16:00 on Friday | Complex Rate - 5 days: $30.00 * 5 = $150.00 Event Rate - 2 hrs: $30.00 *2 = $60.00 | $210.00 | If user start a session first, then operator created the event rate. In this situation, event rate does not apply. Otherwise, event rate and complex both should apply. |
Validation Rate overlaps other rate if the session is validated and cheaper: Validation Rate: $12.00/hr All Day Casual Rate: $15.00/hr All Day Early Bird Rate: $36.00/day
| Situation 1: 9:00 - 17:00 Situation 2: 15:00 - 19:00 | Situation 1: (Validated) Early Bird - 1 day: $36.00 Situation 2: (Validated) Validation Rate - 4 hrs: $12.00 * 4 = $48.00 Situation 2: (not validated) Casual Rate - 4 hrs: $15.00 * 4 = $60.00 | Situation 1: $36.00 Situation 2: (Validated) $48.00 (not validated) $60.00 | If the validated result is actually more expensive than the normal rate. Then the cheaper rate should apply. |
Maximum charge per period: Casual Rate: $15.00/hr All Day Maximum charge per period: $70/24hrs | 8:00 - 18:00 | Casual Rate - 10 hrs: $15.00 * 10 > $70.00 | $70.00 | Because the session is within the maximum charge period, and the normal charge is actually more expensive. So the maximum charge amount should apply. |
Flat Rate: Night Time Rate: $3/hr Maximum: $15
| 19:00 - 7:00 (the next day) | Night Time rate - 12hrs: $3 * 12 > $15 | $15 | Because the rate is flat rate, so cross day does not count, maximum charge still applies. |
Special Situation - site close for today, but open for group Group casual rate: $12.00/hr All Day Casual rate: $25.00/hr All Day The site is closed for public, but open for group users | 13:00 - 15:00 (Group User) | Group Casual Rate - 2 hrs: $12.00 * 2 = $24.00 | $24.00 | Group user is able to see the map pin on App. Can open a gate (For gated site) / start a session (For un-gated site) on the app. The group rate apply. |
Special Situation - if site is closed for a group in a particular time block, shouldn't set up a group rate within this time block Site opening hours: All Day Casual rate: $12.00/hr All Day Site - group opening hours: 8:00 - 18:00 Group casual rate: $5.00/hr 8:00 - 18:00 | 9:00 - 21:00 (Group User) | Group Casual Rate - 9hrs: $5.00 * 8 = $40.00 Casual Rate - 3hrs: $12.00 * 3 = $36.00 | $76.00 | When a group rate is only valid for a particular time block, but a group user parks in the site for a longer time, it fall back to casual rate when reach the end of the group rate |
Special Situation - A group user tab on a public validation beacon Group Rate: $12.00/day Casual Rate: $15.00/day Validation Rate: $10.00/day | 8:00 - 18:00 (Group User) | Not validate: Group Rate - 10hrs: $12.00 Validated: Validation Rate - 10hrs: $10.00 | Not validate: $12.00 Validated: $10.00 | A public validation rate is apply to public which public means, it include group users. If the validation rate is cheaper than a group rate. Then validation rate should apply. |
Frequent queries
Where can I find the transient rates on a site?
Go to Rates
Select Transient Rates in the top menu.
Next, select the site in the filter.
Rates will appear in the rate table.
You can also filter the transient rate view by groups.