KUCHING: The Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) are urged to abolish the ‘convenience fee’ imposed by Kuching City Parking Systems Sdn Bhd (KCPS) and to allow users to withdraw excess credits once they no longer require them.
Michael Kong Feng Nian, the special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, pointed out the importance of maintaining a manual counter for the purchase of season coupons to ensure accessibility for all members of the community.
As of Nov 25, the process of acquiring season parking coupons in Kuching will shift exclusively to the BorneoPark Kuching mobile app.
“While embracing technological advancements is commendable, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not all members of our community are adept at mobile app transactions.
“This is particularly true for the elderly population who may not possess smartphones. Rather than entirely phasing out over-the-counter sales, provisions should be made to accommodate consumers who prefer traditional over-the-counter purchases,” he said in his Facebook post on Wednesday (Nov 22).
Kong highlighted feedback from current users, pointing out the inconvenience of topping up their accounts with money instead of using a more convenient direct debit mechanism.
“This transition has sparked dissatisfaction among the user base because there are no mechanisms for the withdrawal of their money should they no longer need to subscribe to the season parking coupons. Even the app clearly indicated that these credits purchased are ‘non-refundable’,” he stressed.
He further noted that the introduction of a ‘convenience fee’ is causing distress, as the fee, ranging from RM1.20 to a staggering RM15 for reloads between RM10 to RM500, is an additional burden on vehicle owners.
“It is crucial to note that this fee is in addition to the existing 6 per cent Service Tax! The imposition of such a fee, under the guise of a ‘convenience fee’, is not only unreasonable but counterproductive in an era where authorities aim to encourage the public to shift towards online payments.
“Instead of discouraging digital adoption through additional charges, the government should consider incentivising consumers through lower rates or cash backs for embracing online payment modes.”
