Grace period in HDB, URA carparks reduced to 15 minutes from 1 September
SINGAPORE — The grace period for short-term parking in car parks, which was extended from 10 to 20 minutes during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period in 2020, will be adjusted down to 15 minutes from 1 September.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said in a media release on Monday (22 August) that this adjustment will take effect in all HDB and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) car parks with the Electronic Parking System (EPS).
The grace-period extension during the circuit breaker period had been meant to facilitate the increased volume of deliveries for food, groceries and other essential goods when residents stayed home to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Following a review after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in April this year, HDB said that a 15-minute grace period has "generally been sufficient", even with the increased demand for deliveries and 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 said in its media release.
"Motorists who exit the car parks beyond the grace period will continue to pay parking fees for the full duration, including the first 15 minutes."
No more sale of parking coupons at HDB branches from 19 Sept
HDB also said in the media release that it will discontinue the sale and exchange of parking coupon at all its branches from 19 September.
Motorists can continue to purchase the coupons from authorised agents such as petrol stations as well as 7-Eleven and Cheers outlets islandwide.
HDB said that, with the implementation of the EPS in over 90 per cent of HDB car parks, coupled with the introduction of the Parking,sg app in 2017, sales of parking coupons have dropped by 99 per cent in recent years.
Motorists who wish to seek a refund for unused and/or expired parking coupons can continue to do so at HDB branches. They are advised to schedule an e-appointment through the HDB InfoWEB, to reduce the need for them to wait in line at the branches.
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