PARK AND RIDE SCHEME

PARK AND RIDE SCHEME:

(Publicity):

* 8. *Mr Viswa Sadasivan asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the

Column: 2200

Government has studied the positive impact of the Park and Ride Scheme which motivates motorists to use public transport; and (b) what are the reasons for not constructing more of such facilities and the lack of publicity for the existing facilities

.:

The Minister for Transport (Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Park and Ride Scheme allows motorists to park at any of the designated Park and Ride sites distributed across the island, and continue the rest of their commute on public transport.

The scheme makes it easier for these drivers to switch to public transport for part of their daily commute. For every motorist who participates in the scheme, there is potentially one less car on our roads and expressways. This helps to reduce traffic demand and keep traffic on the roads smooth flowing. There is thus, merit to encourage more car owners to take up the Park and Ride scheme.

The scheme taps on existing car parks owned or operated by HDB, URA and SSC. The popular ones are usually situated at accessible locations or within the vicinity of MRT stations. However, these car parks also serve the parking needs of residents, businesses and visitors. LTA has to work closely with the car park owners to balance the various needs. LTA is working with HDB to explore increasing the number of Park and Ride lots at popular sites. Since November last year, one more Park and Ride site has already been added, bringing the number of Park and Ride sites to 37.

LTA will also step up the publicity for the less popular Park and Ride carparks. We have found that some under-utilised car parks are quite close to MRT stations. LTA will step up the publicity for these car parks, to encourage more motorists to consider the Park and Ride Scheme at these locations.

Column: 2201

Lastly, Mr Speaker, as I have stated in the written reply to Dr Lim Wee Kiak's question last October, LTA is working with TransitLink to improve the scheme and will be announcing the details soon.

Mr Viswa Sadasivan (Nominated Member): I would like to thank the Minister for his response. A quick supplementary question. What exactly is the take-up rate of the Park and Ride lots at this point in time? From what I have gathered, there is a lack of awareness of the Park and Ride Scheme, where these parking lots are available and so on. If the take-up rate is low, is it because there is no demand for this service or is it because there is a lack of awareness? And if the latter is true, then what specific actions are being taken?

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: The take-up rate is about a third. We have about 4,500 lots, so it is about 33%. It is a combination of both the factors that the Member mentioned just now. Some of them are not popular because the carparks are a bit far from the MRT stations or the bus interchanges. Some are actually within 400 metres. We have more than a dozen of Park and Ride sites that are actually within close proximity to the MRT stations. I think the latter is really a matter of raising the level of awareness. LTA is working on how best to publicise this and will be announcing the details soon.