Those who use scratch-and-display coupons have to plan their usage properly.
MOTORISTS who purchase parking coupons in bulk but are unable to use all of them before the expiry date would not be able to get refunds or replacements, according to most municipal councils in the country.
“I threw mine away. They were a few pieces of coupons that had expired,” said Azmi Malek, 26, of Shah Alam.
Mary Thomas, 42, said she tried in vain to get replacements from the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
“I tried having my expired coupons exchanged, but was told I couldn’t do so,” she related.
“I also threw away my expired coupons," said Fauziah Mahmud, 55. "But I try to plan usage of the coupons carefully, since one booklet can last two to three years."
However, Heather Yong, 31, of Subang Jaya, did manage to get a refund from the Subang Jaya Municipal Council as the municipality’s parking coupons were phased out at the end of last year.
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations secretary general Datuk Paul Selva Raj said parking coupons were a form of prepayment for service and as such there should be some form of compensation regarding expired coupons.
“If the council gets revenue from the sale of parking coupons, they should consider a form of compensation for expired coupons, such as cash refund or exchange for new ones.
“The coupon method works better compared to the parking meter system, which has been causing a lot of inconvenience to motorists. It’s not the consumers’ fault if they are fined when the meters are faulty,” he said.
Still, representatives from Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and MPK unanimously said expired but unused parking coupons would not get replacements or refunds.
“We would advise those who have these scratch-and-display coupons to plan their use properly,” said MBSA corporate communications head Shahrin Ahmad.
“At the same time, we would also recommend that the public use MBSA’s Flexi Parking mobile app as it is paperless and more convenient. The app was introduced earlier this year and can be used in all parking areas under MBSA,” he said.
MPS corporate deputy director Ahmad Fauzi Ishak said the council’s parking coupons were valid for three years, so motorists had moe thab sufficient time to plan their usage.
“Similar to other local councils, MPS won’t offer refunds or replacements for expired coupons,” he reiterated.
MPK Corporate Communications director Norfiza Mahfiz said complaints about faulty parking meters and the number of parking compounds issued went down after the council introduced the parking coupon system six years ago.
A check with other local authorities in cities such as Ipoh, Johor Baru, Melaka and Penang revealed that expired but unused parking coupons also could not be exchanged or refunded.
However, it was reported earlier that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) gave a three-month extension for parking coupons that expired on Dec 31, 2016, after numerous appeals by the public.
MBPP, Johor Baru City Council and Johor Baru Central Municipal Council implement a dual system of coupons and mobile apps for street parking payment.
In addition to parking coupons for hourly rates, MBPP and Ipoh City Council (MBI) offer coupons for various durations - 30 minutes, one hour and one day.
While agents are required to sell parking coupons in booklet forms, visitors can purchase individual pieces from MBI and MBPP agents.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
