Joining hands to solve factory bus parking issue

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Island City Council (MBPP) plans to collaborate with Penang Development Corporation (PDC), Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to decrease the number of factory buses parked in residential areas.
State exco for Traffic Chow Kon Yeow said the number of factory buses parked in residential areas is increasing and the problem is getting serious, especially in the Relau area.
He said every night about 100 factory buses are parked at the roadside in Relau.
According to Chow the residents are upset with the bus drivers as they find it difficult to drive around the area due to the illegal parking.
He said the state authorities will be having discussions with the factory bus business owner to resolve the issue.
Chow said action will be taken against the errant bus drivers and enforcement will begin on March 13, such as giving penalty notice, clamping or towing the vehicle.
Chow said there are two pieces of land located in Batu Maung and near the second Penang bridge which can be used by the drivers to park their factory buses there.
A factory bus driver would need to pay RM224 for the Batu Maung bus park and RM180 for the bus park near the second Penang bridge.
SPAD head of Enforcement Northern Region, Major Ahmad Zaidi Shuib, said the penalty towards the bus driver can cost from RM500 up to RM2,000, while the penalty for the bus itself can cost from RM500 to RM500,000 depending the offence made by the bus driver.
Zaidi said if a driver is a repeat offender, court action will be taken and his licence will be suspended.