From RM6 to RM25, parking fee hike puts consumers in a tough spot

PETALING JAYA:

The sudden hike in parking fees at private car parks around the Klang Valley has inconvenienced the public, with some even considering quitting their jobs.

A check at a popular car park near the Taman Jaya LRT station in Petaling Jaya found that the rate had been increased, with consumers now charged RM25 for eight hours compared with the previous flat rate of RM6.

The new fare, which was introduced last Tuesday, sets a rate of RM7 for the first three hours with a RM3 charge for each subsequent hour.

This has forced some to leave their homes early in the morning to get a spot in public car parks, which is significantly cheaper.

The car park near the Taman Jaya LRT station used to be full every morning but not anymore since the rates were increased.

One worker, who previously used the private parking lot near the Taman Jaya LRT station, said the increase was unreasonable.

“I don’t use public transport because I have to send my children to school or to the nanny’s. The sudden increase in parking charges is burdensome as now I have to pay RM25 to RM30 a day.”

She said a quarter of her salary would be spent on parking, leaving little left for petrol, toll, food and other expenses.

Another worker, who earns less than RM3,000 a month, said he was considering quitting his job because the amount spent on parking was not worth it.

“Our salary is low and is not enough to cover house and car loans. With the additional expenses for parking, it’s better to find a job close to home even if the salary isn’t high,” the salesman said.

A check by FMT found that parking facilities provided by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) were limited. One private sector employee, Mullaimalar Seleplai, said she had to leave her house as early as 5.45am to get a public parking spot near the office.

“I reach the office around 7am and by that time, the parking lots are almost full,” she said. “I then usually sleep in the car, just like many others who arrive early just to get a parking spot.”

Her colleague, Choo Hon Nang, who lives in Shah Alam, said he was forced to do the same, adding it was an exhausting routine.

However, an executive at a car park operator company said the increase in parking rates was not finalised and could be reduced.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) deputy secretary-general Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said the group took the sudden hike in parking rates seriously.

“The increase in parking rates has nothing to do with the current hike in the price of goods. It doesn’t make sense to raise the rates,” she said.

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From RM6 to RM25, parking fee hike puts consumers in a tough spot

One worker says she has to leave home before dawn to get a public parking spot, while another is considering resigning and getting a job nearer to home.