290 roads on Penang island will have parking charges in stages

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) decision to gazette 290 roads on island for parking charges in stages is concentrated at mostly commercial areas.
Council's Financial Management Committee alternate chairman Joseph Ng said local authorities do not simply impose parking collection anywhere.
He said many commercial places in vicinity of Persiaran Karpal Singh, Bandar Baru Air Itam and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah will be imposed standardised parking charges of 40 sen for every 30 minutes, from 8am to 6pm daily except Sundays.
"It is mostly in commercial places instead of residential one," he told theSun, adding lots initially owned by private developer were handed over to council.
He said it was also totally untrue that fees will be collected beginning July 1 as he cleared the air saying it would not be collected immediately.
He said gazetting of roads are a normal process to be carried out in order for council to collect charges.
Ng added he did not wish to prolong the matter but hoped to shed light after receiving brickbats.
"I am tired of this as certain quarters again manipulated the issue and created a big fuss out of it," he said.
He added state Local Government, Traffic and Flood Mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow is also expected to hold a press conference on Friday.
Nonetheless, many motorists have mixed responses over council's decision.
Insurance agent, Andy Lim, 28, theSun spoken to said it was totally ridiculous to start the parking fee collection beginning July 1 on certain roads.
He understood this will be done in stages by the local authorities but felt it should remain free for time being.
"I really do not understand why charges need to be imposed," he said.
A. Sasitheran, 45, meanwhile, hoped authorities would not increase parking fee but to maintain the collection.
However, a bartender Chan Kay Min, 30, in Persiaran Karpal Singh told theSun that the charge still acceptable.
He said council's parking fee will also be cheapest compared to some private premises in the town.
"It is okay, "he added.