Debated in Parliament on 17 Aug 2015.
Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether NParks will review the policy of charging for car park usage at popular parks; and (b) whether it can consider a pilot scheme at Bedok Reservoir Park to allow free car park usage from 5.00 am to 9.00 am and 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm with a view to extending it to all parks, so as to incentivise the encouragement of a healthy lifestyle among all Singaporeans.
The National Parks Board (NParks) has been receiving feedback on the constant misuse of car parks in some of our parks, where parking lots were taken up for extended periods of time by non-park users. To minimise misuse and safeguard parking lots for genuine park users, NParks had to implement charged parking at parks with high demand. This is no different from many other car parks whereby charges are imposed to
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regulate usage.
NParks has received some feedback that this may discourage some park users who are drivers from visiting our parks. NParks will monitor the situation and consider whether it is necessary to make any adjustments. Park users are encouraged to also consider using public transport when visiting parks that have good public transport connection.
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