Traders: Extra free bays will not solve parking woes
A LITTLE relief but not for long — that sums up the sentiments of the public on deputy federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan’s announcement of extra free parking bays for Little India in Brickfields to ease parking woes.
The business operators in Brickfields were happy but many doubt that the extra bays will resolve the congestion problem in the long run.
Brickfields Business Community Society secretary A. Karuppiah said he was grateful but felt that it was merely a temporary solution.
“How are they going to guarantee that those working in KL Sentral and the commercial buildings do not hog the bays?’’ he asked.
Karuppiah said people coming to work in Brickfields parked their cars in Little India.
Trader K. Raman said the parking bays in Little India were always full during the day and it had become increasingly difficult to find a space.
“My customers are always complaining about the lack of parking space in Brickfields and that they prefer to go to Klang,’’ Raman said.
Businesman R. Sundar said Jalan Tun Sambanthan was always full with cars and motorists could be seen driving around looking for parking space.
“This has resulted in added congestion and smoke pollution. Hence free parking may not be a good idea,’’ Sundar said.
Karuppiah, Raman and Sundar agree that the extra 100 bays at the Lorong Chan Ah Tong field will be abused by some selfish parties if there is no proper monitoring of the bays.
They suggested that the authorities introduce metered bays in Little India.
“Perhaps the first hour can be free but subsequently there must be charges to curb bay hoggers,’’ added Karuppiah.
He said many customers were middle-income earners and hence charging a reasonble amount like RM1 for the first hour and RM2 for every subsequent hour would reduce the number of cars in Little India.
“I also think that it would be good for the authorities to create free parkng bays along the riverbank area behind the Tun Sambanthan Monorail station to encourage people to park and walk.
Saravanan, however, urged the community to be happy with the extra bays.
“Let us see how it goes and if it is not working we can charge a fee later.
“For now let us not assume that the parking bays will be abused once it is open,’’ added Saravanan.
On Monday, Saravanan announced that 100 parking bays will be opened on March 15 at Lorong Chan Ah Tong field.
He added that the bays would provide a temporary solution to the lack of parking bays in the area.