Road users who park their cars in Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) parking zones worry that they will feel the pinch from the nearly 150 percent increase in parking fees.

This comes after City Hall announced an increase in parking fees in several areas in the city including Bukit Bintang, Bukit Damansara, Sri Hartamas, Desa Hartamas, Solaris Mont Kiara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar, effective July 18.

Some car owners bemoaned that the fee hike would only add to the increasing cost of living that has been made worse with the recent rise in highway toll rates and petrol prices.

A bank manager from Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Mohd Haizal Yakub, 41, said City Hall should have given more notice and not just suddenly hike up the parking fees.

Haizal (photo) said he was unhappy as the hike would impact his daily expenditure, as well as that of other road users.

"The increase in parking fees by 150 percent will hit those of us who park here all day long. Add the tolls to this. It will significantly impact our daily expenses.

“I don't think everyone can take the bus, some have to drive. So the excuse that this will encourage people to take public transport does not sound right," he told Malaysiakini.

The same concerns were shared by other car owners met by Malaysiakini at the parking zones in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar and Bukit Damansara.

Another road user, Awang Mokhtar, 35, questioned the increase in fees, which he considered unjustified as the existing parking system is still plagued with weaknesses.

"On what basis did they raise the parking fees? Are the lots exclusive? Is the safety of the cars guaranteed? What is the rationale?

"The end does not justify the means. Some have to park in the lots daily. Some have to use their cars for work," Awang said, adding that the hike may encourage more people to park illegally.

'Higher fees won’t solve traffic congestion'

Meanwhile, Wan Saiful Wan Azman, 41, said the increase in parking fees would not alleviate traffic congestion in the city.

The private driver said DBKL would do better to improve the existing parking system and provide adequate parking spaces.

"Sometimes people need to drive their cars. They can't really use public transportation. As a driver, I understand this well.

"It is going to be difficult for many people. I think hiking parking charges will not solve anything. Parking spaces are still lacking in the city, it does not seem appropriate to hike the fees," Wan Saiful said.

Another driver, Syed Shah Hafiz Syed Umar, 39, agreed that the parking fee hike is a burden to the rakyat.

If DBKL wanted to raise the parking charges, he said, it should first provide adequate parking lots to ensure that illegal parking does not occur.

"It is not relevant to increase charges when we still lack parking spaces. They can increase prices but they should ensure adequate parking lots as well. Let it be hand-in-hand. But the rise in parking fees will burden the rakyat. Living costs are already high as most things now are expensive," Syed Shah Hafiz (photo) said.

However there are also those who agreed with the hike, but with conditions attached.

Farizul Hafiz, 23, said while he was for it, the city's public transportation system should be improved as well. This would encourage more people to use public transportation, instead of driving their cars.

'Provide special parking passes'

Farizul also proposed that DBKL provide special parking passes for those who use their cars for work.

S Ravi, 47, believes the new rates are relatively low, considering that DBKL had not raised its parking charges in a long while.

Ravi also proposed that vehicle exclusion zones be instituted at certain hours to prevent traffic congestion.

"Actually it (the new parking fees) can be considered cheap. It is appropriate to the situation in Kuala Lumpur, which is not a small town.

"I think that DBKL should have no-vehicle zones as well. Maybe at certain times, vehicles shouldn't be allowed to enter certain areas," Ravi (photo) said.

Razali Hassan, 34, said the increase on charges was warranted, especially in areas with high traffic congestion.

"I agree the fee should be hiked, especially in congested areas. Even here in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, I think it is appropriate that parking charges are increased. However, the hike should be based on the location of the parking lots," said Razali, a bodyguard.

From Monday, road users who park their vehicles in the parking lots will see charges hiked to as high as 150 percent.

Parking charges across the city were raised from 80 sen per hour to RM2 per hour for the first hour. The rates increase to RM3 for the second and subsequent hours.

If car owners parked their cars from 7.30am to 6pm, for example, it could cost them a whopping RM32 per day.