Most drivers appear to have taken the recent increase in parking charges in Housing Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority carparks in their stride ("HDB, URA remind motorists that hike in parking charges take effect on Dec 1", Straits Times Online; Nov 28).

But it appears, there are other carpark rate changes which were not publicised.

I have noticed that at certain high-traffic carparks, such as at those at Bendemeer market and Middle Road, there is now a peak-hour charge, which can go as high as 80 cents per half hour.

Why wasn't this publicised when the revision of carpark rates was announced?

Why is there a need for peak hour rates at these popular carparks and how are the rates determined?

There is a sign indicating "higher parking charges during peak hours" at the carpark entrance gantry.

But drivers should have been told in advance, so they can make an informed choice.

Andrew Soh Wei Mun