BY: Aida Aziz
IPOH: The Ipoh City Council (MBI) will engage in discussions with the appointed operators to reassess the functions and usage of the seven rest Rider (3R) spots in the city.
According to Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, the Mayor of Ipoh, the 3R spots, which were previously synonymous with sheltered food delivery locations, are now becoming neglected and less frequented.
Elaborating further, he noted that one of the contributing factors to this decline is the fact that the country is no longer bound by Movement Control Order (MCO) restrictions, which were implemented at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the demand for such services has diminished.
“Many people now prefer to buy their meals and no longer rely on these services, which in turn has reduced the need for riders.
With fewer riders, fewer people utilize the 3R spots that were established in 2021. Riders are opting for more comfortable locations for their operations,” he added.
He made these comments in response to concerns about the underutilization of 3R spots in Ipoh by food delivery riders, resulting in a waste of construction costs.
However, he also mentioned that to address this issue, they will engage in discussions with the operators appointed at each 3R spot to explore ways to maximize their utility.
“As part of our plans, we want to transform them into new stalls. For instance, Meru Raya has already been converted into a food stall.
It all depends on the operators, but our goal is to ensure that these 3R spots are fully utilized and not left unused,” he further explained.
Previously, it was reported that Perak had the first 3R initiative in Malaysia, with seven such spots built around Ipoh, involving an allocation of RM500,000. Each centre is equipped with rest areas, surau (prayer rooms), toilets, and free Wi-Fi, serving as sheltered locations for food delivery riders during their shifts.
The seven 3R spots are located in the city center, Meru Raya, Jelapang, Medan Gopeng, Klebang, Station 18, and Taman Ipoh.
