Review of Heavy Vehicle Season Parking Scheme

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the progress in the review of the heavy vehicle season parking scheme; (b) when will drivers be able to change their existing season parking location to the location that they desire, subject to availability; and (c) whether there is a plan to build additional carparks for heavy vehicles at Old Tampines Road and Sengkang for residents at Hougang, Compassvale, Rivervale, Anchorvale and Fernvale.

Currently there are 43,785 heavy vehicle parking spaces island-wide, compared to a total of 33,760 heavy vehicles. About 74% of the spaces are provided by the private sector and 26% by URA and HDB. There are thus more than sufficient heavy vehicle parking spaces to meet total demand. The problem is a mismatch of demand at specific locations.

There is a high demand for heavy vehicle parking spaces near residential areas, as drivers prefer to park near where they live. However, it is not possible for the Government to provide more such spaces in residential estates, as most of our estates are highly built up and heavy vehicles generate disamenities such as noise, fumes and additional traffic.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of business owners to provide parking solutions for the vehicles they own and also to work with their drivers on the appropriate transport options to commute to work, especially for those who have to drive during the wee hours.

URA and HDB allocate heavy vehicle season parking on a first-come-first-served basis to residents who either live near or whose businesses are located near the vicinity of the heavy vehicle park. Transfer of location of the season parking places within public heavy vehicle parks is allowed, subject to availability. URA also allows mutual exchange of the season parking locations among drivers within its heavy vehicle parks.

Finally, there are about 1,640 public heavy vehicle parking spaces within the vicinity of Tampines Road and Sengkang. Season parking at these heavy vehicle parks are fully allocated. There are no plans to provide additional public heavy vehicle parking spaces in this area.