Mohamad Azhan (centre in dark blazer) with some of the recipients after the Chinese New Year aid contribution ceremony in SS3, Petaling Jaya.
THE 90sen charge for foreigners using the free PJ City Bus service effective Jan 15 will go ahead as planned, says Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Azhan Md Amir.
“There are no changes in the plan. The bus service is intended for locals and it is still free of charge for them.
“However, many foreigners have been using it and it is time we charge a fee.
“The money collected will go to our transportation trust fund.
“In the past, foreigners could ride on the bus for free but we have made a new ruling,” Mohamad Azhan said after attending the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Chinese New Year aid contribution ceremony for needy folk at SS3, Petaling Jaya yesterday.
He said there were 20 free buses in the city fully funded by MBPJ.
“The free bus service costs RM6mil a year. The ridership has reached four million,” he added.
Locals will now have to scan a QR code and bring their MyKad along when they want to use the free bus service.
Selangor local government committee chairman Ng Sze Han was reported as saying that it was common for foreigners to be charged a higher fee for using public services, such as government hospitals.
The imposition of 90sen per bus ride for foreigners was based on the same concept, he added.
On another matter, Mohamad Azhan said event organisers in Petaling Jaya must provide details on public parking arrangements prior to their event.
“If there is going to be a large-scale event such as a concert or a sports activity, we will usually ask the organisers to provide their plan for parking in public spaces at the site.
“Based on the approved parking plan, we will only issue summons to vehicles that are parked at non-designated parking areas.
“However, our summons is RM100 and there is a discount if the offender settles it within 24 hours,” he said.
The mayor was asked to comment on the recent case of motorists who were issued RM1,000 summons by Klang Municipal Council for parking in a recreational area when they attended a sports event in Taman Eng Ann on Jan 8.
Meanwhile at the MBPJ event, the city council presented aid of RM250 to 60 people from the B40 category in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at the MBPJ SS3/14 Hall in Taman Sentosa.
The recipients comprised senior citizens, the disabled, single mothers and families with disabled children.
MBPJ will be hosting its Chinese New Year celebration on Jan 30 for the public at noon at Laman MBPJ in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.
