The car park business was marked in 2015 by the change of scope deriving from Adif and Bamsa contracts in 2014 and the acquisition of the Portuguese car park company CPE at year end. In this way, since 2011 the number of car parks has increased by 83%, up to 371, and the current number of parking spaces by 43%, up to 194,000.
The qualitative change brought in by a new management model must be mentioned along with the quantitative increase in centres and parking spaces. In terms of the main characteristics, we can highlight the consolidation of remote management (connection to the Saba Customer service and Control Centre) and the technological change focused on efficiency and customer service. As proof of this, this year Saba replaced 100 ATMs at 39 stations in the Adif Network for new, technologically advanced units. This update incurred an investment of €10 million.
Alongside this necessary expenditure, Saba faced the consolidation of Bamsa last year, one of the prior milestones of 2015 which shall remain to be one of the main challenges in 2016. The award of 60% of this joint venture, which comprises 19 car parks in 2016 and which will eventually manage 26 centres in Barcelona with a total of 12,555 parking spaces for a period of 25 years, is a public-private operation that sets up a link with Saba's concession model and with the territory where it operates.
Bamsa is a unique project that will place the car parks in the Group among the best infrastructures of their type internationally. With the main objective of improving the quality of service provided to customers, Bamsa car parks are undergoing a complete renovation. The redefinition of the premises, with new paint and a lighter, more harmonious signage is good proof of this. On the technology front, the introduction of new control and collection systems with optical technology, plus the addition of VIA T in car parks which did not previously have this system, represent a top qualitative leap. These measures will be implemented progressively across the Saba network.
Consolidation in Portugal
In December 2015, Saba completed the 100% acquisition of the car park concession company CPE, the fourth largest private car park company in Portugal in terms of revenue and number of parking spaces. The 19 CPE car parks have improved Saba's positioning in the Portuguese market, thanks to the entry into new cities and strengthening its presence in Lisbon and Porto. After this transaction, Saba will manage a total network of 41 car parks in Portugal in 16 cities, with over 19,800 parking spaces.
In this regard, the network increase will enable Saba to achieve more business capacity, strengthen the deployment of complementary services such as the CCC (Customer service and Control Centre) and underpin relations with the Portuguese administration, increasing the competitive scope of the company. This operation is a solid boost in Portugal, increasing the average concession life of assets and consolidating Saba's business project for this country, in the same way as Italy and Chile.
Saba strives to be a leading company in areas such as efficiency, technological innovation and commercial proactivity. In this regard, our Customer service and Control Centre (CCC), which had 99 connected car parks in 2015 and which will add another 20 infrastructures under its supervision by the end of 2016, responds to the company's position from all points of view. The CCC has improved the level of customer support, not only acting as a remote management centre, but as a true call centre with a business outlook, enabling Saba to increase the quality of customer support. It is a distinguishing feature that the company will develop further in the coming years, increasing its role in other areas.
In 2015, the company consolidated the promotion of new technological lines and customer support, such as the installation of the VIA T system at entrance and exit points, which speeds up getting parked, as well as saving on time and fuel. Saba, a pioneer since 2012 in the installation of this dynamic international payment system, the one which is currently used on most motorways, has underpinned some of the most significant advantages of using the VIA T system, such as obtaining an electronic receipt. Now, after having redesigned different elements of the Saba App to improve its functionality, customers can also access this service from their mobile devices.
New digital marketing activities and the development of business tools accompany the continued deployment of VIA T in 2015. In relation to Adif, new ATMs in AVE (high-speed train) stations have firstly enabled the railway operator Renfe to automate the discounts it offers its customers; the second stage is the gradual deployment of the VIA T system. In terms of the digital field, the Saba car park network at airports has also had its own website since 2015, where you can book parking easily and quickly. As early as 2016, Saba set up a new business offer in Adif network car parks, designed for optimal use depending on the time and the area where the vehicle is parked.
Saba continues to work hard to keep its efficiency and management optimisation policies active. This chapter includes, for example, an ongoing effort to not only improve technological and business conditions, but also the physical conditions of the car park network. This experience has been very well received by customers, who have highlighted the comfort and quality of facilities.
In this regard, Saba is remodelling the whole design of its car parks, including all the elements of the facilities, by placing special emphasis on redefining parking spaces, wider whenever, and paintwork, which shall be in lighter hues. It has increased the brightness of the facilities, while it was decided to "draw" the parking spaces with rectangles, which leads to better driver behaviour when parking. Similarly, the recent installation of a new Vehicle Guiding System (VGS), LEDs indicating when a parking space is available, has a complementary white light in the parking zone, further improving visibility in the car park. These actions, which were firstly implemented in Spain, are gradually extending to all Saba countries.
Furthermore, we cannot forget another of Saba's main goals in terms of efficiency: the installation of LED technology in all countries where the company operates. In three years we have replaced approximately 30,000 light fixtures in some 74 car parks. These actions will help reduce CO2 emissions by 2,000 tonnes per year.
The Aparcar Awards 2015
Saba won two awards at the tenth Aparcar Awards, set up by ASESGA (Spanish Association of Car Parks and Garages).
The jury recognised the role of Saba in providing constructive and technological advancements, awarding the Renfe Franchise automation project and the renovation of the Pau Casals car park in Barcelona.
