Food truck park takes shape in Subang Jaya

One possible location for a food truck park is at SS17/1A where food trucks are known to gather unofficially and set up tables and chairs for diners. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star

THIRD time may be the charm for Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) designated food truck park.

Hoping to imitate “Tapak: Urban Street Dining” in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, MPSJ has set its sights on a parking lot at 3K Complex in SS13 which has been operating as a food truck park since Sept 9.

Prior to this site, the council attempted to create food truck parks in Puchong Utama and Bandar Kinrara 5 with little success.

Following the introduction of the Selangor Food Truck Regulations in September 2016, local authorities have been tasked to find proper avenues for food truck operators to trade.

However, the success of running a food truck business is dependent on setting up business in a good location.

To help food truck operators, MPSJ has included buskers and car boot sales as well as other mobile traders to help draw in the crowd at its food truck park.

Its acting president Mohd Zulkarnain Che Ali said having added attractions was the only way the new location would prove fruitful as there was something for everyone.

The Burger Shop food truck in SS15 is one of the more famous food trucks in the area.

“The only way for this project to be successful is for the atmosphere to be very lively. That way we can attract more customers.

“We are accepting a total of 15 food trucks and they can operate for free for two months,” he said adding that traders would be given two tables each.

“Food truck operators must also commit to the business hours we have set and they can’t abandon the location to move elsewhere if there aren’t enough customers.

“After two months and if the response is positive, we will consider setting up more food truck parks in other locations,” he said.

In June, StarMetro quoted MPSJ licensing director Muhammad Azli Miswan who said that there were about 50 registered food trucks in the municipality, operating in SS17, Bandar Bukit Puchong and MPSJ headquarters in USJ 5.

Cowboys Food Truck owner Ku Azharul Nizar Ku Abdul Rahman used to operate in SS15 Subang Jaya but is now trading elsewhere after facing a few obstacles.

Ku Azharul said the new food truck park at the 3K Complex did not meet with the concept of a food truck park. PitStop Food Truck Muhammad Izwan Kamal, who operates his truck at the SS17/1A Subang Jaya open air parking area, said the location has a good crowd especially during weekends.

The food truck park at the 3K Complex, SS 13 Subang Jaya, is the Subang Jaya Municipal Council's third attempt at opening a food truck park.

Muhammad Izwan who is licensed to operate at SS17/1A said he would not move.

“I like the location and we have regular customers,” he said.

He added that combining car boot sales with food trucks was a good plan.

“It will help the food truck operators because shoppers will also stop to buy food,” he said.

Honcho! Pizza Parlour food truck owner Kamal Shahrezal welcomed the idea of merging car boot sales with food trucks but said a proper layout plan was needed to distinguish them.

“If they are not separated, the food truck park will look like a night market.

Kamal has been operating his food truck at the SS17/1A open air carpark for 13 months and has no plans to move to SS13.

“We have regulars and our location is also easily accessible so it’ll be a shame to move and lose customers,” he said.

The food truck operators shared some of the problems faced and offered suggestions on how MPSJ could attract more food truck operators into the municipality.

Kamal said there were no issues when applying for licence but the council should support food truck owners by promoting them.

Tapak: Urban Street Dining in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, has become a point for quality food truckers to come together and present their wares in a casual setting.

He said MPSJ’s support was important in helping promote locations unknown to the public or away from the public eye.

He added that when creating a food truck park, the local council should allow operators to set up tables and chairs.

Currently, food truck licences as per the regulation restrict operators from having tables and chairs.

There are currently four food trucks operating at the open air carpark at Jalan SS17/1A.

The operators were selected by Muhammad Izwan, who applied for MPSJ’s approval to turn the parking space into a food truck park from 6pm to 2am, daily.

Muhammad Izwan, works closely with 46 Fans Cafe along SS17/1A, and gets the tables and chairs from the restaurant for food truck customers.

He said although it was an MPSJ approved site, the traders still get visits from enforcement officers to check on complaints received.

The officers, he said, have advised them against putting tables and chairs.

“We take over the parking area at night when all the offices are closed.

“Although we play music, we are careful not to disturb residents.”

“I understand that the officers are acting on complaints but MPSJ should inform the public that we are licensed to operate here.

“We also hope that they will allow us to have chairs and tables for customers to have their meal,” he said. Those who frequent SS15 Subang Jaya, particularly near the wet market, would have noticed many mobile traders, selling soya bean, lok-lok or burger.

These mobile traders are not classified as food trucks because they cook next to the truck instead of inside the vehicle.

Ku Azharul, who has been trading for three years, said he previously operated in SS15 at the corner of Public Bank but was not permitted by the council because the area was highly congested.

He said MPSJ had offered an alternative spot at the SS15 wet market parking area but this spot was poorly lit.

There was also the issue of vehicles being parked at the bays at night, making it difficult for food trucks to operate.

“If MPSJ cordons off the wet market area for food truck operators, then it will be easy for us to trade,” said Ku Azharul.

He said there were very few areas in Subang Jaya where food trucks could operate from because of traffic congestion.

He said operating on private land was not viable due to high costs.

He added there were pros and cons to setting up a business at a food truck park as opposed to finding a location on their own.

“A food truck park is a permanent spot but we have to pay for the licence, rental of the lot and also compete with over 20 other trucks,” he said.

He said a dedicated food truck park could work if there was a variety of traders instead of two of the same.

Ku Azharul said he has, in the past, sent proposals on the setting up of food truck parks to MPSJ but has not received favourable feedback.

He said he was willing to engage with the council to set up food truck parks in future.