Limited parking bays at Ipoh Railway Station is a major issue for commuters. — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Commuters want more bays, multistorey carpark built nearby
It is often a struggle to find parking near Ipoh Railway Station, in the heart of the Perak capital city.
There are limited parking bays provided by Ipoh City Council (MBI), Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and KTM Bhd (KTMB)around the building on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab.
Those looking for parking say they often have to go round several times before finding a spot.
To make matters worse, those going to the nearby lower and high courts also park their vehicles in the area.
Engineer Kamal Hussain, 40, from Menglembu, said finding a parking spot near the railway station was a challenge, especially during rush hour.
Kamal, who often travels between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, said he found it stressful to catch an early train with the lack of parking.
“By the time I circle the area two or three times, I have already lost 10 to 20 minutes,” he said.
Commuters suggest this piece of land once occupied by a food court beside Ipoh Railway Station, be turned into a carpark.
Researcher Fadhil Rahman, 35, who also travels frequently to Kuala Lumpur, hopes the authorities increase the number of parking bays in the area.
“Maybe build a multistorey carpark near the railway station.
“As commuters, we don’t want to risk missing our train.
“By increasing the number of parking bays, it will make it easier for us,” he said.
Fadhil said the proposed multistorey carpark at Lintasan Market in the Old Town area would not resolve the parking problem near the railway station.
“I have no doubt that the carpark project will be a welcome addition to the city.
“However, it is quite far from the railway station and not convenient for commuters,” he highlighted.
Dhivannan says public transport to the train station may not be a practical solution.
In April, it was reported that a RM15mil multistorey parking and commercial complex would be built about 650m from the railway station.
The complex, a joint project by MBI and a private firm via a Private Financing Initiative, is expected to be able to accommodate 353 vehicles.
It was announced that work was scheduled to start in May, but a recent check by StarMetro found that it has yet to begin.
A couple of months earlier, the Perak Bar Committee rented a plot of land from RAC next to the station, opposite Ipoh High Court, to be used as a carpark for its members.
The area accommodates about 30 vehicles.
The move sparked public concern that it reduced the number of bays available near the station.
Fadhil suggests building a multistorey carpark near the railway station.
StarMetro also highlighted the lack of parking in Ipoh Old Town and called for the disused multistorey carpark at Jalan Dato Maharajalela to be refurbished and reopened in an April 11 article titled “Multistorey mess”.
This carpark is located about 250m from the railway station.
Former Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin had said that there were talks between Ipoh City Council and a private company to refurbish the disused carpark into a commercial centre with parking bays.
However, some who take public transport to the railway station say it poses a problem too.
Student N. Dhivannan, 19, who had a hard time looking for a parking space near the station, said public transport as an option might not be a practical solution.
“Public transport is not always reliable or convenient.
“It also depends on where you are coming from,” he said.
The space beside the train station is rented by Perak Bar Committee as a carpark for members.
Student Nur Syahirah Syahril, 17, who travels frequently to Alor Setar in Kedah, said e-hailing rides, while convenient, were not always feasible.
“It can be hard to find a ride during peak hours, especially if you are in a rush.
“It can be unnerving too if we get caught in a traffic jam,” she said.
However, tourist Quentin Plotton, 29, said he found it convenient to use e-hailing rides to get to the railway station.
Plotton, from France, said e-hailing rides in the city were generally hassle-free.
“It is very convenient and easy.
“As a tourist, I don’t have to worry about driving or finding parking,” he said.
Artist’s impression of the RM15mil parking complex planned for Lintasan Market, some 650m from Ipoh Railway Station, which was scheduled to start construction last month.
A 63-year-old retiree, who did not want to be named, said there was a plot of land near the railway station that could be converted into a carpark.
“The place used to house a food court but it has been left unused for a long time.
“It should be turned into a carpark to make life easier for commuters.
“There are a number of parking bays near the banks and Ipoh Padang but these are mostly occupied, so there is really a need for more parking space,” she added.
In a statement to StarMetro, RAC said the vacant space had been rented to a food outlet.
“However, the tenancy has since ended and RAC is now inviting interested parties to rent the site,” it said.
It also welcomed the suggestion to use the space for parking.
“As the site is now available for rent, applications to utilise it as a carpark will also be considered.
“Given the limited parking in front of and around the railway station, RAC strongly encourages the public to opt for public transport.
“It is important to note that most parking areas around the station fall under the jurisdiction of MBI,” said RAC.
The statement also said RAC had allocated areas for taxi as well as e-hailing pick-up and drop-off, to support commuter needs and ease congestion.
“These facilities are aimed at enhancing user convenience and improving traffic flow, especially during peak periods.
“This initiative is also in line with the National Transport Policy (NTP) 2019-2030, which promotes a sustainable, integrated and efficient transport sector while encouraging public transport as the primary mode of mobility,” the statement said.
“Among NTP’s key objectives include improving inclusivity and accessibility of the transport system and minimising environmental impact.
“RAC remains committed to supporting this policy by enhancing facilities, improving access to railway stations and collaborating with local authorities and relevant agencies to upgrade existing infrastructure for the benefit of all users,” it added.
