Considerations behind Decision to Convert Coupon Parking to Electronic Parking Systems in Housing Estates

51 Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for National Development what are the considerations and deliberations behind the decision to convert coupon parking to electronic parking systems within residential neighbourhoods.

Mr Lawrence Wong: The electronic parking system (EPS) was initially implemented at all car parks serving Neighbourhood Centres and Town Centres to better manage the high parking demand and, thus far, it has been effective in doing so.

With a per-minute charging structure, the EPS is also a fairer system as motorists will pay for the actual duration of parking, instead of half hour blocks if they use parking coupons. Furthermore, it is more convenient for motorists as they are informed when a car park is full so that they can park in another location.

While there are upfront capital costs in setting up EPS at car parks, on average, the EPS has resulted in cost savings of 25% in the daily operating costs of car parks, as compared to the coupon parking system. With the benefits cited above, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will be implementing EPS at all residential car parks where it is feasible to do so.