Parking has become a difficult and costly issue for employees in Bandar Seri Begawan, according to several workers who drive in to work at the nation’s capital.
Some employees who do not have seasonal parking passes shared that finding a space in the capital can be a time consuming task.
It becomes even more frustrating if they have to leave during lunchtime for food or other errands, such as picking up schoolchildren, as they would have to find parking all over again once they return.
The cost for parking throughout the working day can incur daily fees of up to BND10 or more, according to some employees.
Even if they wanted to pay the high prices for seasonal passes for certain parking spaces in the capital to avoid the hassle of trying to find parking, available ones are already taken, while there is a waiting list.
Others voiced disappointment that some public parking lots in the capital are not open during working hours or are even more expensive than seasonal passes offered at other premises.
The employees called on authorities to find a solution to have more affordable parking spaces in the capital, stating that having to spend so much time finding parking is affecting productivity.
The Bulletin also spoke to the authorities responsible, who said parking matters are at the discretion of an appointed parking management company.
The department noted that some of the land, including parking lots, are owned by various other agencies, and the department is only using land under it. – Lyna Mohamad
