The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) recently announced that the public parking fees within its jurisdiction have been revised, starting this month, whereby the parking rates have increased by 50%.
MBPP Mayor Datuk A Rajendran said that the parking rate hike is part of MBPP’s efforts to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on the island.
MBPP raised roadside parking fees by 50% starting this month
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According to the Penang State Government monthly bulletin and online site Buletin Mutiara, roadside parking rates on Penang Island have increased from 40 sen to 60 sen per half hour, and from 80 sen to RM1.20 per hour.
Furthermore, the daily parking rate has also increased from RM6 to RM9. However, the monthly pass remains at the same price, which is RM150.
The MBPP Mayor was quoted by Buletin Mutiara as saying,
“Some motorists park their vehicles for 10 to 12 hours straight, making it difficult for others to find parking. This leads to drivers circling the area repeatedly, worsening congestion,”
Datuk A Rajendran (Middle)
MBPP may also introduce a time limit for public parking at certain parts of Penang Island
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Besides that, Rajendran revealed that the city council is planning to introduce a time limit for parking in high-demand areas on Penang Island. These include parts of Lebuh Chulia and Little India in George Town.
The MBPP Mayor stressed that public parking should be a shared facility and not a private space for all-day parking.
Moreover, MBPP also introduced stricter measures at five traffic congestion hotspots on the island (Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Dato’ Keramat, Jalan Magazine, Jalan Burma and Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu) by banning roadside waiting and increasing enforcement against illegal parking.
Recently, the 14th Edition of the TomTom Traffic Index by Netherlands-based location technology specialist TomTom named George Town as the city with the worst traffic in Malaysia.
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So, what do you guys think of the public parking fee hike on Penang Island? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: M’sian Govt is Looking Into Implementing Congestion Fees to Reduce Traffic in Kuala Lumpur
