Shuttle service eases parking headaches at hospitals

Mohd Affiq says the shuttle has made his trips to the hospital bearable.

FREQUENT users of the free shuttle bus service have lauded the initiative, saying it has eased their trips to the hospital.

Primary school teacher Mohd Affiq Haiqal Naim receives daily medical treatment at Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) in Tebrau and travels there from Desaru.

“I go to HSI daily for my radiotherapy treatment and I am very happy that the government introduced this free shuttle service.

“It has made my trips to the hospital bearable as I no longer have to spend a lot of time looking for parking space.”

Before the government introduced the free shuttle service, the father of five said he would leave home early in order to find an available parking bay.

He said that finding a free spot was a challenge even when he reached the hospital early.

“Previously, I would reach HSI 45 minutes before my appointment but it was really difficult finding a parking bay.

“With this free shuttle service, I just have to park my car at a hypermarket nearby and hop onto the bus to get to HSI on time,” Mohd Affiq added.

Self-employed Stanley Lim, 45, has difficulty driving after suffering from a stroke.

“I usually go to HSI monthly to pick up my medicine.

“Driving to the hospital is too tiring for me as it is always congested in the morning and finding parking space is a problem.

“I really like the shuttle service and have been using it frequently since it was introduced a couple of months back,” he added.

Retiree K. Vimalanathan, 65, said he had been encouraging his friends and family to use the bus instead of driving to Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA).

“Previously, after my daughter dropped me off at the lobby, it would take her hours to find parking space.

“With the shuttle service, she drives to Larkin Sentral and we get on the bus that takes us to the hospital.

“However, the bus cannot stop inside the HSA compound, so we are dropped off outside the main gate and I have to walk to the entrance,” said Vimalanathan.

He hopes the government will make it easier for those with mobility issues like him to reach the hospital building. — By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH