Higher parking fees may drive fresh price hikes

A sign board on the parking rates at a carpark. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER

I agree that "everyone will follow when the Government takes the lead" ("Malls, office buildings set to charge higher parking fees"; last Saturday).

Indeed, not only the carpark operators but also all businesses will surely raise their prices accordingly.

After all, practically every business needs transport and car parking.

Another vicious circle is about to begin, affecting both motorists and non-motorists.

It will be another big blow for all consumers.

While both the Housing Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have noted that it has been some time since the last increase, there does not seem to be a clear cause for raising the carpark charges.

In fact, the agencies should be lowering the fees instead:

•The two statutory boards control much of the state lands.

•Many carparks are electronically operated, which results in substantial savings in manpower costs, and higher revenues as motorists cannot underpay and the electronic systems not only ensure correct payment, but also sometimes collect more than required ("Beep beep, you've been billed twice"; April 11).

The people deserve a better explanation from the HDB and URA for the increases.

Daniel Chan Wai Piew

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 04, 2016, with the headline Higher parking fees may drive fresh price hikes. Subscribe