The multi-storey car park in the Chowrasta Market Complex in George Town has 125 parking bays.

MOTORISTS can now park for free at the newly completed multi-storey car park in Chowrasta Market Complex in Penang Road until a private operator takes over management of the building.

Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) tender board is deciding on the bidder after calling for an open tender in May, and a decision is expected in two to three months.

The five-storey car park is one of the components in the RM12.2mil upgrading project of the market complex.

MBPP councillor Joseph Ng said the council is in the process of privatising the management of the whole complex including the car park.

“We received eight bidders during the open tender in May and we are now waiting for the council’s tender board to decide.

“The process might take two to three months and while waiting for the appointment, we are allowing the public to park at the complex for free,” he told a press conference at the market yesterday.

Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng said that there would be three security guards on duty at the car park.

“There are also closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the car park for security,” Teh said.

Penang Chowrasta Bazaar Traders Association chairman Mohamed Nasir Mohideen thanked the council for the opening of the car park.

“We are happy to see the good relationship between the council and the traders here.

“We hope to see more customers patronising the market now with the car park facility.

“There are more than 200 traders at the market complex,” said Mohamed Nasir, a fishmonger.

There are 125 parking bays including two OKU parking lots, 12 lots specially catered for women and some parking lots for hybrid cars.

The car park is open from 5am to 10pm daily.

Upgrading works of the three-storey market, built in 1890, started in May 2013, and works include tearing down existing shops and stalls, replacing them with new ones as well as building two extra floors on the back portion of the market to serve as car park.

It was also reported that the new market will have 295 stalls and shops as well as 56 stalls selling dry goods along Jalan Chowrasta.

Other features of the market makeover include opening an entrance from Jalan Kuala Kangsar.

The upgrading works for the whole market complex is scheduled to complete end of this year.