Interim carparks where possible

4 Jul 2009

The Straits Times

We refer to the letter Park In Peace by Ms Susie Lim (Life! June 27) and thank her for her feedback.

Developments are required to provide adequate parking spaces. However, in some situations, for example, where eateries are located in conservation buildings and shophouses, the demand for parking may not be fully met as there are physical limitations to the number of parking lots that can be provided within and near these developments.

To address motorists' needs where demand for parking is especially high, Urban Redevelopment Authority would try to provide interim public car parks along the road or on vacant state land wherever possible. Interim surface carparks have been provided for places such as Thomson Village, Anak Bukit, Siglap Village and Jalan Kayu, where demand for parking lots is high.

Many popular eating places are generally well served by the MRT and buses. We encourage more people to switch to public transport when patronising these areas.

For those who drive, we encourage them to park in designated parking areas which are in the vicinity rather than park illegally just to be close to the eateries.

We will continue to monitor the demand for carparks in these areas and provide additional spaces where needed and feasible. URA will also work with the Land Transport Authority to provide signs to direct motorists to nearby carparks that have ample parking space.

On the suggestion to have an electronic parking system at the carpark next to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority building, we can only consider installing one if the land is used as a carpark for a sufficient length of time. Otherwise, the substantial costs of installing and operating the system cannot be recovered. But this carpark is an interim one.

Since March last year, ICA has implemented an online service that manages the appointment slots for all three services centres at ICA building. ICA customers are encouraged to use the e-appointment system, which is available for a number of our immigration services, to better manage their time.

The estimated waiting time is also displayed at the counters. Customers who missed their queue numbers may rejoin the queue by approaching the counter officers for help.

Lim Eng Chong
Director (Land Sales & Administration, Car Parks)
Urban Redevelopment Authority

Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

Park in peace

27 Jun 2009

The Straits Times

I am glad that LifeStyle highlighted the problem of illegal parking at popular eateries (Fine Parking, LifeStyle, June 21). \
This is a result of poor planning on the part of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Should not the Traffic Police take issue with URA rather than hand out parking tickets to hapless drivers?

Going for a meal should be a positive experience. Circling around a carpark looking for a parking lot takes the joy out of dining out. It is worse when you get a parking ticket on your windscreen.

I would also like to suggest that public buildings such as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have electronically priced parking systems using the IU device.

People risk missing their queue number being called at the ICA if they go to the carpark to put more parking coupons. It is unfair to expect drivers to know how long their visit would take.
Let drivers pay the amount for the time exceeded on the coupon rather than a parking fine.

Susie Lim