THE immediate priority of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is to make available more parking bays to ratepayers in George Town over its move to impose a 50% higher car parking charges from this month, said Lord Mayor Datuk Anthony Rajendran.
When more bays are allotted to motorists, the council hopes that the congestion in George Town can be subsequently reduced eventually.
MBPP also wants to encourage more road users to opt for the Rapid Penang public bus services, he said.
"The best option available now in reducing the present congestion is a higher take up rate for public transport from ride sharing to the stage public buses."
Referring to the online debate which ensued after MBPP made a bold move to impose higher parking charges, Rajendran hopes that ratepayers would cooperate with the council in its efforts to mitigate the worsening daily gridlock here.
Traffic in Penang has taken a considerable turn for the worst after Covid - 19 with daily gridlocks in many parts of the state, including on the Prai mainland, which become profoundly severe during public and school holidays.
Under the new rates, the fees have increased from 40 sen to 60 sen per half hour, and from 80 sen to RM1.20 per hour.
The daily parking rate has also been revised from RM6 to RM9, while the monthly pass remains at RM150.
The new rates are published on the smart parking portal under MBPP.
Besides this, Rajendran said that the council also plans to impose a time parking limit on parts of Chulia Street and Little India soon in view of the congestion in the localities.
“Public parking should serve as a shared facility, not a private space for all-day parking. We will start limiting parking time in areas where finding a spot is already difficult."
MBPP has also unveiled plans to control the traffic flow at Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Dato’ Keramat, Jalan Magazine, Jalan Burma and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, by banning roadside waiting and increasing enforcement against illegal parking.
Rajendran, a traffic engineer, was instrumental in many of the island's public transport policies, especially in turning roads into one - way system to disperse traffic fast.
However, not all segments of the ratepayers are glad with the new parking charges.
Some shared their opinions, citing that the charges would only contribute to higher living costs, especially for the B40 low middle income groups, and retirees.
A retired hotelier, said that the traffic jams will continue to occur because the people have invested in cars in the first place.
"Unless the public transport improves, and the secondhand car market is able to allow trade - in at better selling rates, people will continue to drive their automobiles."
And with the heatwave which comes with the climate change, the number of pedestrians on public roads, are also expected to fall in the coming years, said the hotelier. – March 3, 2025
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