JOHOR BARU — Businesses in downtown Johor Baru are feeling the strain as Malaysians working in Singapore occupy public parking bays from early morning until late at night, leaving customers with nowhere to park.

The Straits Times reported that kopitiams and shops are losing customers, while enforcement teams tow illegally parked vehicles. A task force has been formed to address the issue, which involves both Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri city councils.

State exco Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the government is considering time limits, more bays, and bus collaborations to ease congestion. With over 350,000 people crossing the Causeway daily, city parking near transit hubs like Skudai and Bukit Chagar fills up fast — often with shift-working commuters.

Private lots near Galleria Kotaraya are 80% full with Singapore-bound vehicles. Even reserved customer parking, which costs RM150 monthly, is frequently misused, forcing shop owners to block spaces with their own cars.

Experts blame poor urban planning, cheap parking fees, and weak last-mile connectivity. Public bays cost just 40 sen per 30 minutes or RM6 for a full day, while private lots charge up to RM20.

Long-term solutions include a RM2.6 billion park-and-ride facility near the Bukit Chagar RTS station with 1,550 bays and a future light rail transit system linking suburbs to the upcoming cross-border rail line by 2027.