MALAYSIAN drivers each spend about 152 hours a year searching for parking, exacerbating traffic congestion in central areas, location specialist TomTom said.
In Kuala Lumpur, traffic congestion has surged 43% compared to previous years. The problem extends beyond the capital to other states such as Penang, Malacca, and Johor Baru, especially during the holiday.
TomTom.com collects information from around the globe to create a large geolocation database. It also informs users about jams, roadworks, and road closures to help them detect and avoid traffic snarl-ups.
Car park management company TIMES24 Malaysia Sdn Bhd business head Ooi Khai Wen said parking lots should be made available around the city centres to prevent illegal parking and traffic congestion.
"One of the reasons for traffic congestion in the shopping areas is double and haphazard parking," he told The Vibes.
"Even if they stop for only five minutes, they can cause traffic to get stuck and create a ripple effect."
Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had said that the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) are looking for solutions to ease traffic congestion in the city centre.
“About 1.5 million vehicles entering the city daily; the problem could be alleviated if more people chose to travel on public transport," Zaliha had said.
Ooi's company has about 90 car parks in Kuala Lumpur, most of which are located around the city centre.
“Our prices are competitive, and the fees depend on the location. In central KL, our hourly rates typically stay below RM6, with a daily cap. In the outskirts, the rates are around RM2 per hour.”
Ooi said better public transport would help to reduce traffic congestion in the city.
“We haave parking spaces near the public transport facilities, and we will be increasing the lots in congested areas. This is to curb traffic congestion in the city and reduce double parking and haphazard parking," he said.
He said there are more than 20 lots with charging ports for e-vehicles.
Incepted in 1994, TIMES24 is working with more than 100 business partners in 160 locations in Malaysia to provide a safe and efficient parking environment for motorists.
More parking means more cars
Transport expert Rosli Khan at MDS Consultancy Group said more parking lots would only attract more vehicles into the city.
“It is not good for the city as it will attract more cars. But if the fees are expensive, it could deter people from driving into the city.
"The government is looking at increasing the parking fees to prevent people from parking in the city. This will encourage more people to take public transport."
He said it is crucial for carpark operators to offer lots that are close to public transport hubs..
“My suggestion is to have parking lots at public transport stations or stops. That will be useful as people can drive to the stations and park there.
“If one is looking to ease congestion in the city centre, this is one of the ways to do it," Rosli said.
DBKL aims to raise public transport usage in the city from only 12% to 40% by 2030.
He said DBKL should ramp up enforcement to prevent illegal parking around the city.
“But it is the habit of Malaysian motorists to park at the roadside. DBKL should act so that the roads are clear and traffic flows.”
Rosli added the authorities should look into improving the public transport system to make it more accessible. – July 31, 2024.
