No Hogging

Time Limit To Free Up More Bays

sourced from NST online

by Chuah Bee Kim

JOHOR BARU: THE Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) may introduce a time-limit parking zone in a bid to free up more bays in the city and lessen congestion.

MBJB public relations officer Abdul Aziz Ithnin told Johor Streets here yesterday that a proposal is being drawn up.

He said some residents park their vehicles in public lots in areas under the jurisdiction of the MBJB, and go to work in Singapore.

“These people pay 60 sen per hour, and park their vehicles there for more than eight hours.

“They are hogging the parking spaces, leaving none for the other motorists who then have to park their cars in front of fire hydrants or double park.

“In places like Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia, the authorities there set limits on how long a vehicle can park in a space. If the driver exceeds the time limit, they will face a fine.”

He said that because there is no time limit, people who work in Singapore can leave their cars in the same spot until they return from the republic.

He said that there is congestion in the city because motorists are too lazy to walk a few extra steps.

“There are parking spaces but many people are in the habit of parking in a spot which is closest to the shop or bank they want to drop in, obstructing traffic and causing inconvenience to other motorists. They are too lazy to park and walk even though the distance is not far,” Aziz said.

Mable Tan, 40, a fitness instructor shared Aziz’s sentiment.

“Sometimes, I am afraid to park my car in a parking lot. You know why? Because when I want to leave, often I will find a car blocking mine. I look around and there are empty spaces. They want to park “depan mata” (a habit of indiscriminate parking),” Tan said.

Tan added that these inconsiderate motorists will not think twice about parking in front of fire hydrants or bay for the disabled.

“Not only do they park indiscriminately, they don’t even have the courtesy of apologising if they have blocked your vehicle and kept you waiting for them to move. People today are getting more selfish.”

 

pic by Ben Tan

pic by Nur Aisyah Mazalan