As the writer had rightly pointed out, the Car Park Label Scheme (CPLS) was first introduced to drivers with disabilities in 1993.

In view of public requests, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) introduced the Class 2 labels for drivers with disabled family members in 1996 to park at lots reserved for drivers with disabilities, for a maximum of 30 minutes at Housing Development Board (HDB) and Urban Renewal Authority (URA) carparks. This was to allow persons with disabilities easy access to their destination.

Prior to a revision of the scheme in April last year for an extension of the parking time for Class 2 label holders to an hour, stakeholders of the CPLS including the public, government organisations and over 500 carpark label holders were consulted.

After taking into account the survey and focus group results, as well as public feedback, the parking time for such label holders was extended to an hour as a reasonable time limit to allow drivers of family members with disabilities to take the person to a safe destination before moving their cars from the designated carpark lot.

Class 1 label holders will continue to enjoy unlimited parking time of the designated lot with the first hour parking fees waived.

We encourage members of the public to report cases of misuse of the handicap parking lots to the relevant carpark authorities - HDB, URA or other private carpark operators.

We thank the writer for the feedback.

Ang Bee Lian (Ms)
Chief Executive Officer
National Council of Social Service