Selangor Plans Smarter Parking Amid TOD Challenges

Selangor is rethinking how parking works in high-rise residential areas near major rail lines. With space running tight in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones, the state is now exploring tandem parking as a more efficient solution.

Unlike standard side-by-side parking, tandem parking places two or more vehicles in a row within the same bay.

According to Datuk Ng Suee Lim, who chairs Selangor’s Local Government and Tourism Committee, this method could help ease parking shortages in serviced apartments located in high-density, transit-focused areas.

He explained that TODs are meant to reduce private vehicle use and encourage public transport by limiting available parking.

However, in reality, many residents of serviced apartments are working professionals, often from dual-income households with more than one car.
“Without adequate parking, issues like illegal parking and traffic congestion in surrounding areas become inevitable,” he says. 

Ng pointed out that while the long-term goal is to reduce car dependency, the current demand for parking cannot be ignored.

“Increasing the parking ratio from one vehicle per unit (1:1) to two vehicles per unit (1:2) takes into account existing mobility patterns, market demands, and the aim of boosting the development’s overall value,” he remarked. 

To ensure TODs truly deliver on their goals, Ng said local councils must put the right policies in place and enforce them consistently.  
“Maximum parking caps should be enforced at TOD areas and local authorities should promote public transport incentives like discounted fares and park-and-ride schemes.

“Urban planning must prioritise walkable designs and safe cycling paths to encourage residents to travel without private vehicles.

“Additionally, mixed-use developments should be encouraged to reduce long commutes daily,” he was quoted as saying.