Businesses must provide adequate parking

MUCH has been said and written about the less-than-responsible behaviour of Malaysian road users and I would like to add that road and traffic conditions also add to the problems.

Very often roads are turned into parking lots that make a smooth flow of traffic difficult. Cars parked right at junctions, double parking, and parking along yellow lines are all too common.

This is exacerbated by the fact that many businesses do not provide adequate parking for customers and staff who are then forced to park on the roadside.

A glaring example is Jalan Elmu in Petaling Jaya which was once a quiet, shady little road leading to the University of Malaya. It now represents a giant parking lot. There are numerous government agencies in the area, and a private medical college has also sprung up, but parking facilities remain lacking.

During peak hours, using the road is almost impossible especially since students and staff of the college park along the road, blocking access. This is compounded by buses parked haphazardly while waiting for students.

The college should play its part and be responsible for ensuring adequate parking and not take advantage of public thoroughfares.

If the government institutions in the area can do that I don’t see why the college has to be different.

I believe everyone, especially the big corporations should contribute to making this nation a decent place to live and work in.

And they can start by ensuring that they do not contribute to the already stressful conditions on our roads and cities by providing adequate facilities for their business operations. MOBILITY BLUES, Kuala Lumpur.