JB Parking System Raises Concerns
· business
Parking Privileges: Who Gets to Park in JB?
The recent introduction of a paid parking gantry system in Johor Bahru’s busy commercial areas has brought relief to residents and businesses alike. However, it also raises questions about who gets to park for free and who bears the costs. The system charges RM2 for the first hour and RM1 for subsequent hours, with monthly passes available.
Business owners have expressed concerns that parking costs are too high, adding to their operating expenses. For example, Nur Hasya Zainal Abidin, owner of Loaf Adam Patisserie, pointed out that her cafe had to pay RM10,000 for monthly parking passes for its 50 employees. This highlights the uneven impact of the new system on different stakeholders.
While the gantry has freed up over 30% of parking spaces, as Fitriudin Rashid noted, it has also led to an increase in motorcycles and spillover traffic in other areas like Dataran Larkin. This raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of the system in addressing Johor’s notorious traffic congestion.
Parking controls alone won’t solve congestion without better public transport and park-and-ride facilities. Experts say that commuters need more convenient options, such as buses or trains, to leave their cars behind. The Johor authorities seem to be aware of this, as they plan to launch the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link in 2027.
The pricing structure is also worth examining. RM18 a day for cars may not be exorbitant, but it adds up quickly for those who need to park multiple times a week. Motorcycles, on the other hand, pay half the car tariff, which could encourage more workers to switch to two-wheeled transportation.
The introduction of paid parking is just one aspect of the state government’s efforts to ease traffic congestion. However, it remains to be seen whether this will have a lasting impact or simply shift the problem elsewhere. As Hairi Mad Shah, Larkin state assemblyman, noted, the system ensures that public facilities are managed in an orderly manner for everyone’s comfort and convenience.
As Johor continues to grow and attract more workers from Singapore, these questions are timely and pressing. The city needs a comprehensive solution that addresses parking, public transport, and park-and-ride options. Until then, it remains uncertain whether the new system will bring lasting relief or simply displace the problem to other areas.
Reader Views
- MTMarcus T. · small-business owner
The JB parking system is a Band-Aid solution for a much deeper issue: our reliance on cars in Johor Bahru. The state government needs to think bigger than just charging drivers more money to park. We need comprehensive public transport and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure that encourages people to ditch their cars altogether. For instance, have you noticed how easily cyclists can zip through downtown JB? It's time to create dedicated bike lanes and encourage companies like Loaf Adam Patisserie to adopt a flexible work-from-home policy for employees who live close by. This would not only ease congestion but also reduce parking costs for businesses.
- DHDr. Helen V. · economist
The Johor Bahru parking system's pricing structure is more than just a nuisance for drivers - it's also a missed opportunity to incentivize sustainable transportation. Charging motorcycles half the car tariff could be a clever ploy to reduce traffic congestion, but I worry that the benefit won't trickle down if employers are required to bear the bulk of costs like Nur Hasya Zainal Abidin's cafe. Businesses may struggle to absorb these expenses, potentially offsetting any gains from reduced congestion in other areas.
- TNThe Newsroom Desk · editorial
The JB parking system may have freed up some spaces, but let's not forget that it's still a band-aid solution for our congestion woes. We're expecting commuters to switch to public transport, but with limited bus frequency and train connectivity in certain areas, the options just aren't there yet. It's time for our authorities to step up the game on park-and-ride facilities and reliable public transport before we can say this system is truly effective.