Community buses for PJ folks

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/8/18/central/1821510&sec=central
By JADE CHAN



LOW-INCOME wage earners and senior citizens living in Petaling Jaya can now opt to travel around the city using the PJ Community Bus.

“In view of the rising cost of fuel, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is providing this bus service, which will operate around the PJ Selatan and PJ Utara areas, for free.

“This initiative is to help the urban poor and we’re the first local council in Selangor to provide such a service,” PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said when launching the two buses called Mesra Komuniti (Community Friendly) One and Two.

The bus service starts at 9am and ends at 5pm. Three trips are made daily from Mondays to Fridays to each area.

The PJ Selatan bus route covers destinations like the MBPJ Headquarters, the Jalan Sultan government offices, the PJ Police Headquarters, the PJ Community Library, the Jalan Othman Market, the Medan Maju Jaya Health Centre and the Taman Jaya LRT Station.





More information: Roslan (right) and Bukit Gasing assemblyman
Edward Lee (second from right) distributing leaflets to inform the
public about the new PJ Community Bus service.


The PJ Utara bus route will go to the MBPJ Headquarters, Jalan Sultan, Jaya 33, Tesco/Ikano, Dataran Sunway police station and the National Registration Department Kota Damansara branch office.

Each bus can accommodate 23 passengers and is equipped with air-conditioning and a television set.

“It cost us RM200,000 to buy one bus; the other was refurbished for RM50,000,” Roslan said.
“It will cost us RM120 to run and maintain one bus each day, which works out to about RM3,000 a month.

“We will place the bus stop signs either at existing bus stops or nearby buildings that are identified as bus stops.”

Roslan said the bus stops were identified during consultations with the community leaders in the targeted areas, who will spread the word about the service.

“We will distribute leaflets about the service to the target areas, and get their feedback.

“If there is a high demand, we will consider extending the bus service to weekends or increase the frequency.

“We also have a community van for the disabled that is available on an on-call basis.

“It can fit two disabled persons in wheelchairs at a time, who are lifted into the van via a hydraulic jack that cost RM10,000.”

Roslan had earlier launched the council’s 51st Merdeka Celebration programme, which features a month- long of activities organised by the various PJ Residents Assocations (RAs) and Rukun Tetangga (RT), in collaboration with the MBPJ.

He presented materials like Malaysian flags, banners and bunting to the RA and RT chairmen for them to display in their communities.

Roslan then flagged of a classic mini car convoy, which will have a 51 cars, travelling from PJ to Kuala Terengganu.

“The convoy will be presenting a gift on my behalf to the Kuala Terengganu City Council mayor as a sign of mutual understanding between the two local councils.”

He later presented prizes to the winners of the PJ Tourism Slogan and Photography Competition winners.

The 51st Merdeka Celebration programme is available on http://www.mbpj.gov.my/.
To request for the community van service, call 03-7956 3544 ext 374/ 351.

Funeral parlour to move soon

http://www.mmail.com.my/Funeral_parlour_to_move_soon.aspx
By Darshini Kandasamy


THE temple operator of an illegal funeral parlour at Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, intends to use the premises for another purpose soon but declines to elaborate what it will be converted into.

This was disclosed by Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee, who told Malay Mail a solution to the problem of a funeral parlour operating in a residential area, was close at hand.

Lee, however, declined to say what the premises would be used for as he had yet to iron out the details with the operator.The only hint Malay Mail was able to solicit from the assemblyman was that the new function would be “good for the community.
Lee said he had been talking with parlour operators for the past two months.“The original funeral parlour operator, Eight Eleven Funeral (M) Sdn Bhd, has vacated the premises, leaving the operator of the temple. That is who I have been talking to.”

Last week, Malay Mail highlighted the issue of the funeral parlour operating illegally for more than 15 years. Its burning activities and defiance of rules had caused discomfort to residents and motorists.

Lee said the operator had limited services to five wakes per month and he had chosen not to interfere until a solution was reached and the funeral services relocated. He said he was talking with several funeral parlours to find one willing to help.

He added that discussions with the Petaling Jaya City Council and the Petaling Land Office were needed to ensure all parties involved agreed to a mutual solution, Lee called on residents to be patient. He said all parties were trying to settle the matter amicably before the end of the year. “We have to exercise great care when handling the matter of community needs.”