Monday, November 29, 2010

Batu Gajah and its novel parking system...

one that annoys people more than its worth. I wonder whose bright idea was it. There are so many workable systems to copy from, yet the designer of this crappy system thinks the town council could rake in Ringgit without complaints. The following is the feedback received:

1. Monthly pass for Rm30 where you get to have your car registration numbers painted on the ground, supposedly for your exclusive use. But already there were complaints that the passholder found to his or her dismay, someone else's car parked in its place. This could be simply because of ignorance as many did not realize the introduction of the parking system. When telephoned to complain, the response was 'you can park in another space'... which meant at the expense of someone else who invariably would complain because his or her space was taken up. Apparently when complaint was received, someone would come as soon as possible to issue a summon to the offender which would cost Rm30.
2. Monthly pass for Rm70 where you can park at any permitted parking space, which anyone who has read the problems associated with the Rm30 pass can imagine similar problems expected, and because of its higher cost, the person is likely to be more annoyed.
3. Parking meters are still in operation in certain location. The related problems include discrimination in issuing summons and the usual 'cat and mouse' between parker and attendant just to save a few shillings. At 60 sen an hour, the Rm30 pass seems a steal for those who work during office hours. For someone who park and conscientiously feed the parking meter, it would cost Rm96 per month (8 hours x 0.60 x 20days), as compared with Rm30... but only if the system works! Otherwise, the hassle of calling up to complain and the quarrel with the person whose car took your space will only raise your temperature and blood pressure!

Already someone asked why the council's parking lot (at the old market) has yet to be opened to the public. As far as I know, it was re-surfaced at least a few months ago, and it seems the delay in opening was simply because the council is waiting for some VIP to officially open it! This was the same space which was officially launched by the Sultan a few years ago, for a proposed multi-storey building which was shelved to this day! Why should there be an official launch for a simple car park, and why the delay when the motorists are faced with the chronic lack of parking lots? To be fair, the public were used to the lax control where anywhere can be parked without problem before. But the council have stepped up their enforcement on indiscriminate parking recently. Don't you think enforcement should go together with available parking space? In fact, I have told some who complained that they should consider themselves lucky as compared with the severe problems faced by motorists in KL or PJ. At least here, it is still walkable to park where it is still free. For example, I walk to town to do my errands! No worry over finding a parking lot and over the time (parking meter) I have parked the car.

Meanwhile, a supposedly simple parking problem in a small town is turning out to be a big headache for both the council and the motoring public. Again, I wish to know, who was the smart Alec who came up with this most silliest of systems?


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