Parking charges to go up from Dec 1
URA and HDB say the increases, which take effect on Dec 1, are to ensure proper cost recovery since the last island-wide review in 2002
Car owner Mohd Rozesky, 34, will need to pay $15 more for his season parking from Dec 1.
The security officer now pays $65 a month for his season parking at an open carpark near his home.
He is upset as he feels he has no choice.
Calling the fare hike "ridiculous", Mr Rozesky told The New Paper: "We are parking in our residential estate. Why should we be affected? They should (raise parking charges) for those who don't live in a certain estate, but park here instead."
But he, like other car owners we spoke to, are resigned to the higher parking prices announced yesterday. (See report below).
Said Mr Rozesky: "I don't think it is okay, but we have no choice."
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Housing Board (HDB), which manage 24,000 lots and 607,000 lots respectively, said in a joint release that the revised prices are to "ensure proper cost recovery" since the last island-wide review in 2002.
"Over this period, the costs of building, operating and managing carparks have increased due to general inflation, as well as construction, manpower and other related maintenance costs. Carpark charges have not kept pace with these cost increases," the two agencies said.
Other than differentiated charges for season parking, short-term parking charges will also go up by 10 to 20 cents every half hour. Parking charges for motorcycles remain the same.
Real estate agent Vince Ho, who will also have to pay $15 more for his season parking ticket, said he will feel the pinch more because of the nature of his job.
"I've been running around to meet clients. Wherever I go, I have to pay for the parking unless it's a condominium viewing. My expenditure will definitely go up. As a self-employed individual, every bit counts," he said, adding that he does not get any transport allowance that will help cushion the fare hike.
The 33-year-old said: "Although we are given a six-month notice, I feel (the authorities) should increase the parking charges in tiers," he said.
The fee adjustment comes in the face of the Government's vision of a car-lite Singapore.
Due to Singapore's policy of minimum parking - imposing a minimum number of lots to be made available to the public - the market price of parking is lower than it would otherwise be, parking policy expert Paul Barter said.
According to a 2011 Colliers study, a full day of parking in the financial districts in London and Melbourne cost $72 and $70 respectively. In Tokyo, it came up to $66. In Singapore, the average price of parking in the CBD was $30.40.
Transport experts are sceptical that the quantum of increase in public parking prices will deter car travel.
Associate Professor Lee Der Horng, a transport researcher at the National University of Singapore (NUS), told TNP: "If you really want to make use of parking as a tool to manage the congestion or car usage, I think the increase has to be significant.''
Dr Barter said: "The result (of reducing supply) would be gradually rising market prices for parking, especially in the busiest locations with high demand. After a few years, such price rises would be enough to make a difference to travel behaviour.''
I don't think it is okay, but we have no choice.
- Mr Mohd Rozesky
Revised parking rates wef Dec 1
SHORT-TERM PARKING (HDB & URA)
- Restricted zone/ designated area
Now: $1 per ½ hour
New: $1.20 per ½ hour
- Regular short-term parking
Now: 50 cents per ½ hour
New: 60 cents per ½ hour
*Short-term parking rate for heavy vehicles will be increased correspondingly
SEASON PARKING (HDB)
- Tier 1: For residents' first carpark lot (same island-wide)
- Surface carpark
Now: $65
New: $80 - Equalised carparks (those with both surface and sheltered lots)
Now: $75
New: $95 - Sheltered carpark
Now: $90
New: $110
- Tier 2: For residents' second and subsequent carpark lots, and non-residents:
- Surface carpark
Now: $65
New: $80 - Surface carpark in restricted zone
Now: $140
New: $165 - Surface carpark in designated areas
Now: $125
New: $150 - Sheltered carpark
Now: $90
New: $110 - Sheltered carpark in restricted zone
Now: $160
New: $190 - Sheltered carpark in designated areas
Now: $140
New: $170 - Equalised carpark
Now: $75
New: $95
SEASON PARKING (URA)
- Residential parking for first car
Now: $65
New: $80 - The second and subsequent cars are charged the commercial season parking rate for the area
- Commercial surface parking in restricted zone:
Now: $140 to $200
New: $165 to $200 - Commercial sheltered parking in restricted zone:
Now: $170 to $220
New: $190 to $220 - Commercial parking outside restricted zone:
Now: $80 to $125
New: $90 to $125
OTHER FEE ADJUSTMENTS (HDB & URA)
- Whole day parking
Now: $10
New: $12 - Whole day parking in restricted zone and designated area
Now: $16.50
New: $20 - Monthly parking
Now: $300
New: $360 - Monthly parking in restricted zone and designated area
Now: $460
New: $552 - Night parking
Now: $4
New: $5
New coupons with the revised rates will be available for sale from early October at HDB branches and service centres, the URA centre and coupon agents.
Source: HDB, URA
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