HDB and URA said in a statement that the grace period at their carparks will be reduced to 15 minutes from 20 minutes from 1 September onwards.
Previously, the grace period was upped to 20 minutes during the circuit breaker in April 2020, to facilitate the increased number of deliveries for essential goods, food and etc.
HDB and URA’s statement
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will implement a grace period of 15 minutes for short-term parking in all HDB and URA car parks with the Electronic Parking System (EPS) from 1 September 2022.
2 In addition, HDB will discontinue the sale and exchange of parking coupons at all HDB branches with effect from 19 September 2022.
Extension of short-term parking grace period to 15 minutes
3 Prior to April 2020, motorists were given a grace period of 10 minutes at HDB and URA EPS car parks to facilitate their search for a parking lot and to carry out quick drop-offs and pick-ups. Motorists who exit the car parks within the grace period will not be charged parking fees. Since the Circuit Breaker period in 2020, HDB and URA have been temporarily adjusting the grace period in response to the dynamic Covid-19 situation, to 20 minutes, 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.
4 With the significant easing of SMMs from 26 April 2022 and lesser work-from-home arrangements, HDB and URA have reviewed the grace period and will adjust the grace period for short-term parking in all HDB and URA car parks with EPS to 15 minutes, which is an extension from the pre-April 2020 grace period. This will take effect from 1 September 2022. Our records show that a 15-minute grace period has generally been sufficient even during the period with increased demand for deliveries. HDB and URA have also taken into consideration 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. 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.
Discontinuation of sale and exchange of parking coupons at all HDB branches
5 With the implementation of the EPS in over 9 in 10 HDB car parks, and the introduction of the Parking.sg app in 2017, sales of parking coupons have dropped by 99% in recent years. HDB will discontinue the sale and exchange of parking coupons at all HDB branches with effect from 19 September 2022. Motorists can continue to purchase coupons from authorised agents such as petrol stations, as well as 7-Eleven and Cheers outlets island-wide.
6 Motorists who wish to seek a refund for unused and/or expired parking coupons can continue to do so at HDB branches. They should schedule an e-appointment through the HDB InfoWEB, to reduce the need for them to wait in line at our Branches.
7 We encourage motorists to use the Parking.sg app to pay for short-term parking at HDB and URA coupon-based car parks where the EPS is not installed due to site constraints. At present, close to 9 in 10 motorists use the Parking.sg app at these car parks. The Parking.sg app offers motorists the convenience of per-minute charging and automated calculation of parking charges, thus removing the need to buy, tear and display multiple coupons.