FREE WEEKEND PARKING IN AYER RAJAH (Extension to other housing estates)

Encik Ibrahim Othman asked the Minister for National Development (a) how successful is the pilot free parking scheme introduced in the Ayer Rajah Constituency; and (b) whether such a scheme will be extended to other housing estates, when popularly requested.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the pilot scheme to have free parking on Sundays and public holidays is being tried out at the car parks in Ayer Rajah Constituency for a period of six months. Since its introduction on 1st December 1985, indiscriminate parking of vehicles was observed at some of the car parks in the Constituency. However, as the pilot project has only been in operation for the last three months, it is too early to draw any conclusion on the feasibility of the scheme.

The HDB will continue to monitor the situation closely before deciding at the end of the six months' trial period on whether to extend the free parking scheme to other housing estates.

Encik Ibrahim Othman (Tanah Merah): Sir, can the Minister explain whether the indiscriminate parking is due to the lack of space or due to too many vehicles?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, sometimes it is due to both. In certain popular car parks, more cars are parked, causing indiscriminate parking and a little bit of confusion.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister, by way of a supplementary question, whether the Ministry would consider a downward revision of the parking fees paid in housing estates? If his answer is that he will not consider, would he tell us why not?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry will not consider a downward revision of parking fees. I think the $25 a month parking charge is very low in the present situation.