OLD telephone booths in Ipoh are an eyesore as most of them are in deplorable conditions.
The public wants the local authority to look into the matter.
During recent checks in Jalan Pasir Puteh, Ipoh, the New Sunday Times team found that most of the booths were in deplorable conditions as a result of vandalism and poor maintenance.
Some had the phones missing while others were covered with bills and advertisements. The surrounding areas were strewn with rubbish.
A resident, Christopher Hoo, 44, said most of the public payphones in Jalan Pasir Puteh were not working.
“There are telephone booths in some places, but the phones are either missing or vandalised. Some booths have even become rubbish dumping grounds.”
Marisa Yahya, 27, a clerk, said the public payphones were relevant to city folk although some argued that they had lost their significance.
“Public payphones are a great help during emergencies.
“For example, I had to make a call urgently when my car broke down in the middle of night. My mobile phone battery was flat.
“I wanted to call my father for help, but could not find any working payphones nearby.
“I finally used one at a nearby petrol station,” she said, adding that the authorities should maintain the public payphones.
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A spokesman for the Ipoh City Council said there had been discussions on public telephone booths, including their relevance.
“Eventually, some of them would have to be removed.
“The telephone booths that are in deplorable conditions in Jalan Pasir Puteh will be removed soon.
“We will ensure that the facilities are maintained.”
He said the council would remove illegal advertisements pasted on the booths.