Monday January 17, 2011

Parking bays for the disabled taken up

PARKING bays reserved for the disabled are being taken up by able-bodied motorists, leaving the group frustrated and helpless.

A disabled resident from Petaling Jaya, N. Balasubrama-niam, expressed his frustration that parking bays reserved for the handicapped near Maybank in PJ New Town are often occupied by others.

“The motorcycles are parked all over the place and even on the five-foot ways where pedestrians walk.

Not for all: Motorcycles parked close to a bay reserved for the disabled.

“How can a disabled person park when the motorcycles are all over the place. We are also not able to push the machines away,” said Balasubramaniam, 72.

“I know this is a busy business district where parking can be difficult but I really hope there is more consideration from the public for the disabled community,” he said.

He added that although cones were usually placed on parking bays for the disabled, selfish able-bodied motorists sometimes removed the cones to park their cars in these specially designated bays.

“I noticed that enforcement used to be stricter in the past but has become lax now,” he said.

A signboard put up by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is placed in front of the parking bay, stating that it is strictly for the disabled.