Dato Andrew Wong
SIBU: Steps are being taken to sort out teething problems with the newly implemented auto-pay system at Sibu Central Market multi-story car park.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Dato Andrew Wong said there would be no charges for the first half hour to allow time for motorists to leave the premises if the parking lot was full.
“We do have a countdown system, meaning that we display how many parking bays are available. But since that particular system is not up and running yet, we are afraid that when people go in, the car park may be full so they need to go out, which is why we implement it for the time being until March 31.
Wong, however, noticed that certain people abuse the system by attempting to beat the clock – doing their shopping before rushing out.
“But they did not take into account the queuing time. After reversing out from your parking spot, you still have to make your way down to the exit or booth gate.” For this reason, some motorists refused to pay, saying this was not their problem, he said.
“In fact, the half-an-hour is inclusive of queuing time. So, we are reminding motorists, while the first half-an-hour is free, (it’s) not for them to do shopping but in the event that they cannot find a parking bay, they can go out (without being charged). It is for that purpose.”
He observed that some people forgot to pay because this was a new system. By the time they reached the booth gate, they could not reverse because a car was behind them. Hence, they had to leave their cars to walk to the auto-pay machine to pay.