SEASON PARKING LOTS

SEASON PARKING LOTS

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(Allocation criteria): **

33.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for National Development with the rise in car ownership (a) what is the criteria used by HDB in the allocation of season parking lots to residents; and (b) in the past six months, how many residents were unsuccessful in buying season parking tickets for these lots nearest to their flats.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Season Parking Tickets (SPTs) are sold on a first-come-first-served basis to HDB households. To ensure a fair allocation of designated lots, priority is given to the first vehicle of each household if they purchase their SPT early [1]. Subsequently, HDB allocates the balance SPT for households' second and subsequent vehicles.

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Where demand is high and there are site constraints that limit the number of car park lots serving the block, car parks are grouped to be shared amongst several blocks. This gives residents greater flexibility in parking. The designated car parks are within 200-400m walking distance from the car owners' blocks.

However, when the designated car park or car park group is full, HDB has no choice but to allocate SPTs at alternative car parks. There are such localised car park shortages at 10% (or 225) of HDB car parks. This affects about 2% of total SPT buyers.

HDB is looking into increasing parking lots at these car parks where it is physically feasible and cost effective. For example, HDB may construct new car park lots on grass verges, make up shortfalls in adjacent new car parks or extend decks of multi-storey car parks. Where new multi-storey car parks are justified and possible, they may have to be constructed on land that is currently occupied by surface car parks. Details will be announced after HDB has completed its studies.

We seek the understanding of HDB car owners that while HDB is able to provide sufficient car parks in general, they may not always get to park at their preferred lots, especially if they return home late at night.

[1] B efore the 18th of the preceding month for popular car parks and before 11th of the preceding month for lower-occupancy car parks.

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