PARKING ISSUES AT KTM KOMUTER

This appeared in The Star today, Tuesday, 29 dec 2009. They really have to resolve the parking issue there which is also causing a traffic headache.

Tuesday December 29, 2009

Taxing time for cabbies

Story and photo by OH ING YEEN

TAXI drivers operating around the Kajang KTM station along Jalan Bukit, Kajang, have complained about the parking fee charged whenever they enter the station to pick up customers.

They said the RM1 per hour fee was a burden to them as they have to fork out RM300 to RM500 per month for that purpose.

Too cramped: Taxi driver So Ah Meng says the station’s compound is too small, which makes it difficult for them to manoeuvre their taxis after picking up customers.

They are hoping to purchase a monthly pass, which costs RM52.50. But, their applications to buy the passes from Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) have yet to be approved.

Taxi driver Hui Yau Wah said, “We have written to KTMB but there’s been no reply.”

P. Gunasekaran said the parking fee was just 40 sen per hour seven years ago. However, it increased to RM1 per hour more than four years ago (the first five minutes is free).

“We enter the station around 15 times a day, hence it’s RM15 per day. Even if we do not get any customers, we still have to pay once we enter.

“If we earn around RM120 a day, about 10% of our income is used to pay for parking.

“We tried to talk to the station supervisor but there was no reply and we’re told that ‘the person in charge is not in’,” he said, adding that other stations like the one in Serdang does not impose such charges.

The taxi drivers approached former Serdang MP Datuk Yap Pian Hon for help in applying for a monthly pass.

“It’s not fair to them, the taxi drivers are providing a public service and their welfare should be looked into,” Yap said, adding that only 150 parking bays are provided at the station that caters to 8,000 commuters.

Taxi driver So Ah Meng pointed out that the station’s compound was too small which makes it difficult for them to manoeuvre their taxis after picking up customers.

“It is quite dangerous for the commuters as well when we reverse the car. I hope that the compound can be expanded or restructured.

“I’ve submitted three plans to KTMB about four years ago but there was no reply,” he said.

When Yap brought up the matter of congestion and lack of parking space at the station to KTMB in 2007, the reply they got then was, “As the land reserve for KTMB is limited, an entrance next to Jalan Reko can’t be made as it will involve acquiring private land.

“We hope the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) can consider building an alternative entrance, a bus stop near the entrance or to widen the road. Maybe the congestion along Jalan Bukit can be solved with an alternative route.”

KTMB has yet provide a reply on the parking issue at press time.