COUPON PARKING SCHEME (Administration)

Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for National Development if he will elaborate on the administration of the Housing and Development Board/Urban Redevelopment Authority coupon parking scheme, in particular, the safeguards to ensure that the motoring public is not unduly penalised by any administrative error.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yock Suan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, the Coupon Parking Scheme was implemented in February 1980. Under the Scheme, a motorist who parks his vehicle in a coupon parking place must display a valid parking coupon or coupons according to the prescribed parking rates.

To ensure that the Scheme is implemented fairly and that the motoring public is not unduly inconvenienced or penalized, HDB and URA have adopted the following measures and safeguards:

(a) Outlets for Sale of Parking Coupons

Apart from the 50 URA car park kiosks and 32 HDB area offices, 644 other establishments spread around the island have been secured for the sale of parking coupons. These outlets include petrol kiosks, grocery shops, eating houses, theatres, etc. The large number of sale outlets ensure that coupons are made easily available to motorists.

(b) Signboards at Coupon Parking Places

All parking places are provided with prominent reflective signboards at the entrance. Signboards are colour-coded and clearly specify the type of parking scheme available and the rates in force.

(c) Grace Period

On expiry of coupons, a 5-minute grace is given for motorists to remove their cars or to display additional coupons.

(d) Thorough Check for Coupons

Parking Wardens have to check thoroughly for the display of coupons not only at the front windscreen and the driver's window, but also the dashboard and all other windows.

(e) Accuracy of Time

Parking Wardens are required to synchronize their watches with the TELECOMS Time Announcing Service before they assume their enforcement rounds. This is to avoid disputes with motorists over the time indicated on their coupons.

(f) Flexibility in implementing Coupon Parking Rules

Parking Wardens have the discretion to be flexible in dealing with emergency cases. Motorists who are genuinely aggrieved by any action taken against them can appeal to senior officers at the URA or HDB Car Parks Division. If their grievances are found to be genuine, the penalty against them may be reduced or waived.

Motorists themselves also have to be blamed for any inconvenience if they do not display their coupons properly. In many instances, coupons on display are partially hidden by other articles or are placed in the midst of outdated coupons on the dashboard. The Parking Warden who cannot find the correct coupon will naturally summon the motorist. I would therefore urge all motorists in their own interest to make sure that their coupons are clearly and properly displayed.