A large sign directs motorists to the entrance of the free carpark opposite HSA. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
New free carpark opposite Hospital Sultanah Aminah saves visitors’ time
FOR years, those visiting Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) have struggled with limited paid parking bays at the medical facility in Johor.
Often, they have had to resort to parking illegally by the roadside near the hospital.
To address this, Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) has put up plastic barriers on the roadside to prevent illegal parking.
The city council has also directed motorists to use a new and free carpark at Pantai Lido, across the road from the hospital.
HSA patient S. Ramu, 48, welcomed the move, saying that the alternative carpark could help ease longstanding parking woes at the hospital.
“I used to park by the road in front of HSA as it was difficult to find a proper spot in the hospital’s fee-charging carpark.
“When my wife and I went to the hospital to obtain my heart medication recently, I was surprised to see traffic barriers at the usual site where people park illegally.
“MBJB personnel on duty advised me to park at the free carpark opposite the hospital,” he said.
Ramu, a security guard, then dropped his wife off at HSA before making a U-turn to drive towards the new carpark.
“The carpark is spacious. I can park and wait in the car.
“Once my wife collects my medicine, I drive a short distance to pick her up again.
MBJB has placed traffic barriers to curb illegal parking outside the hospital.
“Hopefully, this new system will solve the parking issues because previously, people would double-park and block others,” said the Taman Sri Yaacob resident.
Frustrated about being late for a doctor’s appointment at HSA, a woman who wished to be known only as Lee, 30, said the new carpark could help patients save time and be punctual.
“It is often a struggle to find parking spots at the hospital as it is always very crowded.
“I drove around twice but could not find a place to park at HSA, while another paid carpark at Dataran Bandaraya nearby was also full.
“Then I noticed a large sign for the free carpark and was relieved to find plenty of space there,” she said, adding that she would park there for her next appointment.
Taxi driver Badrulhisham Mahmood, 55, who had been running errands at the Syariah Court next to HSA, said the new carpark was a good initiative but its accessibility could be improved.
“The authorities should build a bridge at the far end of the carpark to allow people to cross the ditch, making it easier to reach the overhead pedestrian crossing.
“Right now, there is only one way in and out of the carpark.
“The disabled, elderly and others with mobility issues will struggle to walk the extra distance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said MBJB started putting up the barriers this month as a way of tackling illegal parking.
“We encourage people to park at the empty area which has been converted into a free carpark.
“After dropping off patients, motorists can park there and walk to the hospital, or use the free shuttle service which runs every 15 minutes in the morning and every 30 minutes in the afternoon.
“To reach the free carpark, motorists should drive past HSA towards the U-turn before the Johor Baru general post office.
“The entrance to the carpark is just a short distance from there,” he said.
