The Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have announced that from 1 September 2022 onwards, the grace period for parking in all HDB and URA car parks with the Electronic Parking System will be reduced to 15 minutes for short-term parking.
In addition, the sale and exchange of parking coupons at all HDB Branches will be discontinued from 19 September 2022.
Grace Period Extended Previously to Accommodate Deliveries
Before you start shaking your head at HDB for being petty in shaving off five minutes from the parking grace period, know that they’ve already extended it once during the initial months of the pandemic.
Prior to April 2020, motorists were given a grace period of 10 minutes at HDB and URA EPS car parks to facilitate their search for a parking lot and to carry out quick drop-offs and pick-ups.
This meant that those who left within the grace period did not need to foot the parking fee charges.
Since the Circuit Breaker in 2020, however, HDB and URA temporarily adjusted the grace period up to 20 minutes in response to the increase in volume of deliveries for food, groceries and other essential goods when residents stayed home and minimised social contact in prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
However, with the easing of Safe Management Measures from 26 April 2022 and more companies shifting away from a complete work-from-home arrangement, the HDB and URA reviewed the grace period and saw fit that it be adjusted to 15 minutes.
“Our records show that a 15-minute grace period has generally been sufficient even during the period with increased demand for deliveries. HDB and URA have also taken into consideration the shift towards e-commerce. A 15-minute grace period will ensure that motorists still have a comfortable time frame to search for a parking lot and carry out pick-ups and drop-offs,” HDB announced.
This means that vehicle owners who exit the car parks beyond the grace period will have to pay the full parking fee, including the first 15 minutes.
Discontinuation of sale and exchange of parking coupons at all HDB branches
With the implementation of the EPS in over 9 in 10 HDB car parks, and the introduction of the Parking.sg app in 2017, sales of parking coupons have dropped by 99% in recent years, and are pretty much going obsolete.
As such, HDB has made the decision to discontinue the sale and exchange of parking coupons at all HDB branches with effect from 19 September 2022.
You can still continue to purchase the coupons from authorised merchants such as petrol stations, as well as other 7-Eleven and Cheers outlets.
If you still remember how to tear it, that is.
Those who want to get a refund for unused and /or expired parking coupons can continue to do so at HDB branches, by first scheduling an e- appointment, to reduce the waiting time required.
The Parking.sg app offers motorists the convenience of per-minute charging and automated calculation of parking charges, thus removing the need to purchase and tear the physical coupons manually. Hence, HDB recommends all motorists change to the app mode of payment for future short-term parking.
I guess it won’t be long before we see those parking coupons displayed in the National Museum like an ancient relic then.
Oh how time flies.
Featured Image: Facebook (Housing & Development Board)