30-CENT HALF-HOURLY PARKING COUPONS

Mr Goh Chee Wee asked the Minister for National Development if the Housing and Development Board will consider introducing a 30-cent half-hourly parking coupon.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB will not introduce a 30-cent half-hourly parking coupon. This is similar to the practice of private car parks outside the Restricted Zone which are charging short-term parking based on a minimum period of one hour. Since 1st May 1985, the URA has been allowing the private sector to determine the market rate for parking charges.

Mr Goh Chee Wee (Boon Lay): Can I ask: if a motorist wishes to park his car or vehicle for less than half an hour, why should he be asked to pay for one-hour parking?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said earlier, since 1st May 1985, URA has been allowing the private sector to determine the market rate for parking charges. That means, it is based on market forces. So if the private sector, or the market forces move towards half-hourly parking, the URA and HDB will most probably follow.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister for National Development again why is it necessary, again and again, for the HDB to follow the private sector? Has the HDB no independent views of its own, and a role to lead the private sector. Two days ago I asked the Minister about a downward revision and his answer was confined to season parking. I am asking him now, by way of a supplementary question, whether the HDB will consider a downward revision of its hourly parking charges.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the hourly parking charges of HDB are comparable to that of all other car parks. So there is no need to have any downward revision.