JB suburban folk welcome carpark plan to ease parking woes at market

A PLAN to build a proper carpark has been met with positive response from traders and visitors of a morning market near Taman Daya suburb in Johor Baru.

The morning market, which has about 100 stalls, serves residents from Taman Daya, Tebrau and Pandan.

Dried snacks stall owner Lai Chan Zhi, 27, said the proposed carpark would ease congestion in the area.

“I often hear complaints from customers about the lack of parking space at the morning market, especially during weekends when the crowd is larger.

“Once a carpark is built, I believe customers will find it easier to park their vehicles and our business will also improve,” he said at the market in Jalan Pinang 23.

Rita says the market’s lack of parking is a headache for visitors.

Housewife Rita Safaridin, 42, said the market’s location near her house made it convenient for her to get groceries and household essentials.

“But the lack of parking is a headache for visitors, especially during weekends or festive periods.

“I usually park about two blocks away from the morning market and walk there to avoid circling endlessly in looking for an available spot,” said Rita, a mother of two.

She expects the traffic situation to improve once the carpark is built.

Tay Teck Meng, who operates a coffeeshop near the entrance of the morning market, said visitors would park on both sides of the road currently.

Tay says homeowners and customers often resort to sounding their horns because of the obstructing vehicles.

“Those who visit the market often double-park in front of my shop where there are parking bays, while some park in front of the houses across the street.

“It is quite common to hear homeowners and customers sounding their horns because of the obstructing vehicles.

“There were several instances when fights almost broke out because of this,” said the 63-year-old businessman.

Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said he found out that an empty plot of land beside the morning market belonged to Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), after the public and traders complained about traffic congestion there.

“I spoke to Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman about building a parking facility and he agreed to do so.

“The city council is in the process of preparing a building plan for a facility with about 50 parking bays. I hope that the construction can start soon.”

Puah said that once completed, the carpark could also be utilised by the nearby Rukun Tetangga unit.