DBKL launches rest hub for p-hailing riders near Dataran Merdeka

Food and parcel delivery riders in Kuala Lumpur now have a dedicated space to rest, recharge and access basic amenities with the launch of D'Tebing Recharge Rider, a new p-hailing hub near Dataran Merdeka.

The hub, launched today by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, alongside Kuala Lumpur mayor Fadlun Mak Ujud, was part of efforts to improve the welfare of gig workers.

Speaking at the launch, Yeoh acknowledged that delivery riders play an important role in supporting the daily lives of city residents by delivering food, parcels and other essential goods.

She said the government did not want workers forced to wait by the roadside between jobs, when public spaces could be repurposed for their benefit.

"Without them, many of us - especially working women - would struggle to manage our daily responsibilities.

“I do not want to see riders in Kuala Lumpur having to wait at the roadside. We have spaces like this that can be revitalised and shared with the rider community," she said.

The minister also highlighted safety concerns faced by riders, particularly those who spend long hours on the road.

"We have worked with doctors who have pointed out that riders and drivers are vulnerable to microsleep due to fatigue. Sometimes just a few seconds of falling asleep can result in an accident.

"That is why facilities like this are important. Some riders work up to 12 hours a day and need a place to rest and recharge, both themselves and their phones, before continuing work," she added.

D'Tebing Recharge Rider, developed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), features a sheltered rest area, mobile phone charging stations, a surau, and public toilets, with further improvements planned in the future.

Respite between shifts

Riders interviewed by Malaysiakini welcomed the initiative, saying it fills long gaps faced by delivery workers who often spend hours waiting in between shifts without proper respite or shelter.

Delivery workers Fairuz Imam Mahadi and Daud Khalip said the hub offers a convenient place for riders to rest while remaining close to areas with high order volumes.

"Sometimes a shift ends at 11am, and the next one starts at 1pm. Before this, we didn't really have a place to stay while waiting.

"Now we can rest, charge our phones and perform our prayers while waiting for the next shift," said Fairuz, who has worked as a rider since 2020.

Daud added that the facility would provide shelter during bad weather and strengthen the sense of community among riders by giving them a space to meet, exchange information and assist one another when needed.

Another rider, Syahriz Izzad Sharifuddin, said the facility addresses the lack of charging facilities, which is one of the most pressing needs among delivery workers.

Having worked as a delivery rider since late 2018, he said riders often spend between 10 and 12 hours on the road each day, making reliable charging stations essential.

"As riders, charging facilities are crucial because our work depends on our phones. We've tried the chargers here, and they're very fast," he said.

Strategic location

Ain Mohamad, who has worked in the industry for more than four years, noted that the facility's strategic location near busy delivery hotspots makes it particularly beneficial for riders.

With a dedicated hub, riders can take care of their needs there while remaining close to areas with high delivery demand, she said.

Fairuz echoed the importance of location, stressing that riders should be consulted if similar facilities are rolled out elsewhere.

According to him, riders naturally gather in areas with a high volume of orders, making site selection a key factor in ensuring such facilities are well utilised.

"If more hubs are built, riders should be consulted on where they are located because we know which areas have the highest demand," he said.

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