PARK AND RIDE SCHEME

PARK AND RIDE SCHEME

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(Plans to attract more motorists): **

27.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport (a) if he will provide an update on the Park and Ride Scheme; and (b) what are the Ministry's plans, if any, to improve the Scheme to attract more motorists.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: The use of the Park and Ride Scheme is something that we encourage for drivers to make use of public transport in their daily commute.

The scheme is currently administered by TransitLink. LTA has worked with TransitLink to review the scheme and has taken note of the suggestions that have been put forth on how the scheme can be improved.

There are at present 36 Park and Ride car parks across the island. The take-up rate at each of these car parks is not the same. Some are more popular with motorists and are fully utilised, while others are less than half-filled.

First, for the popular Park and Ride car parks, LTA is working with HDB to try to increase the number of Park and Ride lots, or in some cases, identify new Park and Ride car parks in the vicinity. However, we will have to be mindful of the car parking needs of residents and visitors as well, and balance their interests against the needs of Park and Ride users.

Second, LTA will step up the publicity for the less popular Park and Ride car parks. 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.

Third, LTA will work with TransitLink to make it more convenient for Park and Ride users to obtain their monthly Park and Ride sets. Today, users can purchase their Park and Ride sets at any TransitLink ticket office. However, queues do form outside some of the more popular ones, such as those at Ang Mo Kio, Raffles Place, Clementi, Tampines MRT stations and Boon Lay Bus Interchange. While TransitLink already sets up an additional counter at these locations when the sets go on sale, LTA will work with TransitLink to explore ways, such as through electronic on-line channels, to make it more convenient for users to obtain their Park and Ride sets. LTA will also look at giving regular users greater priority to buy Park and Ride sets.

Mr Speaker Sir, these measures will help to make the Park and Ride Scheme more convenient for motorists. LTA is still working on the details of these proposals and will announce them in early 2010.

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