Friday, May 02, 2014

A bit on car parking charges and people's reluctance to pay

Parking charges can be an important factor for most people, rich or poor, judging by the marque of cars seen double-parked, or parked in places very obviously to avoid paying them.

Supermarkets wise to such consumers' preference, like Tesco or Aeon, would try their best to provide free parking spaces (usually in smaller towns) or charge nominal fees to attract shoppers. Some shoppers get free parking for limited hour(s) if they bought a certain minimum sum.

In smaller towns like Batu Gajah, where there are parking spaces provided which incur charges by way of coupons, motorists would avoid them wherever possible, even though it costs only 30 sen per half hour! For those who parked without displaying coupon, they are fined at least Rm10. But still, regular motorists (especially shopkeepers or stall operators) are likely to play cat and mouse with the enforcement officers.  Some officers who know them allow them chance to display after their arrival.
But the point is that though the amount is small (compared with those charges in KL or PJ), it is amazing how people can afford expensive cars but are unwilling to pay parking charges. In Klang valley, most motorists would consider themselves lucky to find a proper parking space (almost like striking a lottery) and more than willing to pay the charges. It is a case of when we are forced to, we would be willing to pay, especially when we are in the company of friends. Surely, we do not want to appear calculative over small amount when we are prepared to treat them proper meals.

While the alternative of paying expensive parking rates in KL or PJ is to call a taxi or use the LRT/Monorail/Kommuter, how we wish it is as simple as comparing the amounts to be spent on train or taxi fares and using own car and paying parking charges. A friend who spent a couple of days in his daughter's house in Putra Heights, found to his dismay, the difficulty in calling for a taxi when he was in Paradigm Mall, off LDP. When found one, it costed him almost Rm30 to get home! There was no alternative public transport for the route. I suppose when the LRT station in Putra Heights is ready, it would be most welcome.

Anyway, Joshua Ong had done a wonderful survey and comparison on expensive parking charges in central KL...

https://my.news.yahoo.com/most-expensive-mall-parking-rates-klang-valley-025122221.html
Link

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