In a reversal move, Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) is re-introducing the prepaid scratch cards for parking, a method in use nearly two decades ago before it was replaced by the pay-and-display machines in 2001.
The scratch card system has been implemented since Monday but was only officially launched yesterday at the SS15 wet market on a six-month trial basis. The system is in place side by side with the existing parking system in commercial areas.
Council president Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said MPSJ would allow a temporary dual-system and the public now had the option to either continue using the current pay-and-display system or use the new scratch cards.
During the launch, Nor Hisham and his deputy, Abdullah Marjunid, handed out 100 scratch-and-display coupons to residents as a gesture of goodwill. They also distributed leaflets informing the public about the scratch cards.
Nor Hisham handing out the new parking coupons to residents at the launch in SS15, Subang Jaya.
Nor Hisham said MPSJ would evaluate the efficacy of the different parking payment methods by taking into account residents’ feedback and examining the coupon purchase trend.
“We want to look at the options, that is why by Aug 1 we will discuss the matter at the fullboard meeting to decide on the best method whether it is the machine, the scratch cards or carry on with the dual system.
“This trial will also help us to decide on the most suitable system for new areas where currently there is no parking fee imposed,” he added.
Some of the motorists interviewed in the affected areas were unaware that there was a new parking system over the past three days.
Generally, confusion abound.
SS18 resident Kathleen Francesca See said she was not aware there would be a new system until she saw the banners.
According to PMSJ; there are 334 parking coupon agents in the municipality.
Other motorists who realised the scratch coupons had been introduced, were not sure if they should use them or continue with the parking coupons dispensed by the machines. Many people also wondered where to buy the scratch-and-display cards.
The reception to the scratch cards system is mixed.
Those who see its benefit, like SS15 Hexagon RT chairman Rita Bhardwaj, welcomed the fact that the public was being given an alternative way to pay for parking.
Parking is still limited to per hour basis at the Taipan USJ commercial area. (New scratch card system implemented in MPSJ areas alonside current pay and display system)
Be gone in 60 minutes: Parking is still limited to one hour at the USJ Taipam commercial area.
“It is convenient for us because if we cannot find a parking machine, we can use the scratch cards,” she said, but lamented that council enforcement was very much lacking and indiscriminate parking was still a big problem in the SS15 commercial area.
USJ 4 resident Jade Yap said, “It will be great if they can have both systems simultaneously as it will cater to two different types of users (frequent long hours and occasional short periods).
“If it is entirely the prepaid scratch coupon system, it will be a waste for users who mostly park for short periods of time.”
See said the scratch-and-display method was convenient as it eliminated the hassle of looking for coins to pay for the machine-dispensed coupons, but it would mean a loss for the motorist who use the hourly scratch coupon if they only parked for 30 minutes.
Each scratch card is valued at 50sen, which allows users to park for an hour.
If one were to park for eight hours, there would be eight cards. Under the current pay-and-display system, one can pay for the amount of hours needed in one ticket.
This does not apply to the USJ Taipan commercial area where parking is still limited to one hour, regardless if one uses the pay-and-display system or scratch card.
During the launch, SS17 Residents Association secretary A.B. Naicker asked about places selling the coupons.
RT SS15/2E secretary Michael Sundram said, “From our experience in areas where they use these scratch-and-display coupons, the problem is that sometimes we cannot find the shops selling the booklet. Then it becomes an inconvenience and we risk getting summoned for not paying parking fee.
“The signage for the coupon agents in Subang Jaya are not prominent.”
According to MPSJ, there are 334 parking coupon agents in the municipality.
StarMetro drove around the Subang Jaya SS15 commercial area and only noticed one signboard indicating the shop selling the coupons.
Be gone in 60 minutes. Parking is still limited to one hour at the USJ Taipan commercial area.
The scratch-card parking system will be managed by Godell Parking Sdn Bhd, which is also the company running the current pay-and-display machine system.
MPSJ initially proposed for scratch cards to be introduced only in new commercial and industrial areas that did not have parking machines (“MPSJ starts new parking system” in StarMetro on Jan 31). The proposal also stated that coupons in the new areas cannot be used in the existing commercial and industrial areas and vice-versa.
However, the council later held a special closed-door meeting and came up with a totally different scheme.
Nor Hisham said MPSJ would postpone and study the implementation of the new parking system for new commercial and industrial areas during these six months.
When asked about the sudden change, he said it came about because of feedback from the public.
“We will study the scratch card system and the feasibility of introducing it to new areas.”
