Hold no parking bay move

THE Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) commends Kuala Lumpur City Hall for continuing in its efforts to explore methods to reduce congestion in the city which includes the increase in parking rates in central business areas.

The Federal Territories minister has announced the commission of a study to explore the possibility of eliminating parking bays in buildings within the city area which is expected to reduce traffic congestion.

The MCM believes that implementing such an initiative in the near future may cause more harm than bring benefit to consumers as efficiency, safety, connectivity, affordability, convenience of public transport continue to be a challenge. While the overall quality of public transport has improved significantly, there is much room for improvement.

The MCM urges City Hall to scrutinise existing modes of public transport, predominantly from an efficiency, safety, connectivity, affordability, convenience standpoint, before drastic measures to reduce traffic congestion are implemented or even considered.

In developed cities like London and Tokyo, residents opt for public transport rather than drive due to the mentioned factors. Our city folk will definitely rise to the challenge for change in the way they commute if appropriate facilities are available to them.

Doing away with parking in buildings may hold benefits but only in the longer term when the public transport infrastructure blueprint has been fully realised. Until then City Hall must avoid inconveniencing residents by implementing such decisions.

Darshan Singh Dhillon President Malaysia Consumers Movement