THE rumble of motorbikes and the sight of riders rushing between deliveries are a constant in Selangor.
But in Bandar Baru Selayang, these gig workers have a place to take a break amid the daily rush.
A once-empty back lane has been transformed into a fully equipped hub, aptly named the Rider’s Pit Stop, offering shelter, benches, device charging ports, fans, and even prayer facilities.
This successful initiative by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has caught the attention of the state government, which is now replicating the model across Selangor.
State Islamic Affairs and Digital Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah announced that each
local council would receive seed funding to create similar hubs, which would be named Teduh (tempat elok dikhaskan untuk hentian) that also meant a shaded spot or shelter in Bahasa Malaysia.
“The Selangor government is allocating RM30,000 for each local council to replicate the Riders’ Pit Stop.
“The hub is a supportive environment for delivery riders to rest and relax,” he added.
Commendable effort
Mohammad Fahmi praised the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for transforming the back lane of Jalan 2/16, Dataran Templer into a hub for gig workers.
“The Selangor government has observed that the MPS Rider’s Pit Stop is doing well.
“Its initial focus was on food delivery riders, but the hub has been attracting others including ride-share drivers and postmen.”
Mohammad Fahmi said following the hub’s success in Bandar Baru Selayang, other local councils in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Sepang have been encouraged to follow suit.
MPS president Shahman Jalaludin said the council decided to build a hub after seeing there were many delivery riders plying through Selayang.
“Delivery platforms have reshaped people’s lives but until recently, we did not have a space to meet the needs of gig workers.
“Our first thought was a safe space for delivery riders to rest. Other motivations included wanting to group them in one spot to mitigate haphazard parking,” he said.
Shahman said for convenience and to avoid traffic issues, MPS decided the Rider’s Pit Stop should be near to eateries so delivery riders could park their motorcycles and collect orders.
“The hub has been in operation since August 2023. It cost RM93,200 to set it up including all necessary amenities.
“The council tapped into its Improvement Service Fund (ISF) for the project,” he said.
“We have received good feedback from the delivery riders.”
ISF is an MPS financial account that can be utilised for infrastructure works.
Monies are accumulated from fees imposed on developers under Section 132 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).
Shahman said there was a plan for another delivery riders’ hub in Sri Gombak.
“MPS is looking for a suitable location and plans to build the hub in October,” he said.
Teduh initiative
The state, in recognising the importance of gig workers in sustaining communities and businesses, is committed to creating more hubs to ensure fair treatment in Selangor, said Mohammad Fahmi.
He said gig workers in Selangor was estimated to number between 5,000 and 7,000.
“We understand that delivery riders are often in a rush to collect orders and complete deliveries quickly,” he said.
He said it was up to the respective councils if extra funding was needed for the hub project.
“Councils can collaborate with e-hailing services or delivery platforms to build gig worker hubs, and allow the company to display their logo as part of the initiative,” he said.
Mohammad Fahmi added that all new rider’s pit stops would be named Teduh, followed by the respective council’s name to localise the rest area.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon, who visited Jalan SS2/61 with councillor Loh Y Lun and council officers, has identified Taman Bandar SS2 as the first Teduh site for the city.
He told StarMetro that Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has chosen an area close to the intersection of Jalan SS2/60 and SS2/61.
“Our decision was made after considering several factors including the high number of eateries in the area, interviews with food riders and the fact that it is a hot spot on delivery platforms,” he added.
Mohamad Zahri said the Teduh site would be equipped with benches, charging ports, ceiling fans, lighting and CCTV.
It is also walking distance to a recently built prayer hall.
Mohamad Zahri added that the SS2 project was slated to start in mid-October and due for completion in December.
Klang mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain agreed that the hubs were essential for gig workers, and efforts were underway to look for suitable locations.
“Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) wants to provide basic amenities so delivery riders have a place to rest,” he said.
Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) president Dr Ani Ahmad said the artist impression for a gig workers’ hub, off Jalan Teknokrat 6, in Cyberjaya, has been completed.
“MPSepang closed the procurement notice advertisement for contractors on Aug 27,” she said.
“We are in the midst of choosing a contractor. Work will start mid-September and is to be completed by December.
“We are excited for the hub to be built as delivery riders can stop there for a break.”
Delivery riders’ feedback
Delivery rider Farhan Herlis, 24, who works part time, said the Selayang hub was a space for them to rest, recharge their phones and take refuge during thunderstorms.
“Our community of delivery riders is a growing workforce that needs safer work conditions.
“The hub in Bandar Baru Selayang provides a place for us to take refuge,” said Farhan who became a gig worker in 2020.
Father of one, Joe Saiful, 37, who worked from 8am to 7pm, said delivery riders were the most visible workers in the gig economy.
“All of us hustle daily to do as many deliveries as we can.
“Spending hours on our bikes is exhausting, but having a place to rest makes a real difference for delivery riders,” he said.
Shaharudin Ahmad Idris, 41, who worked six days a week from 8am to 10pm, said the Selayang hub was a safe space for a workforce without shelter.
“Gig workers’ hubs are much needed. It is partly because delivery riders are not only growing in number, but also growing in importance,” he said.
SF Choong, 33, who shied away from the camera, said he did not just deliver food but also transported pharmaceuticals, groceries and even books from libraries at private varsities.
“Delivery riders dashing across neighbourhoods are helping people who are unable to get out of the house or even students who urgently need certain books from libraries for their research.
“It is good for us to have a place to take a break,” he said.
According to mydigital.gov.my, gig work comprising work from location-based platforms and non-location-based has become increasingly more prominent.
The site notes that in 2022, an estimated 1.12 million Malaysians took part in the gig economy, earning either supplementary or primary income.
