GEORGE TOWN: People working and living near the Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) started paying a parking fee of RM0.40 per half hour today.
Most of the factory workers who spoke to the New Straits Times said they did not find it such a big deal to pay for parking since there was a smart parking system which allowed them to pay using their mobile phones.
T. Dheeran, 36, said he did not find it such a hassle to pay for parking. He said he hoped the parking fees would lead to better road conditions and regulations.
“We use the road and park there, so I do not really think it is such a big deal to pay for parking, since it is only RM0.80 for an hour.
“However, I do hope that with this fee collection, the authorities will improve road conditions and beef up parking regulations to prevent double parking,” he said.
Dheeran, who works as an engineer said one of the biggest concerns about parking at the FIZ was the lack of enforcement against motorists who parked haphazardly.
“Hopefully, with the imposition of parking fees, there might be patrols by parking enforcement officers to prevent such haphazard parking,” he said.
Lawyer Michelle Lee, 33, said many workers parked within the compounds of factories and some companies were planning to subsidise their workers for the parking fee.
“So, I do not think it is a problem for workers in FIZ having to pay the parking fee,” she said.
