If you’re a motorist in Singapore, you’re very likely aware of the 10-minute grace period rule in HDB and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) carparks.
Drivers and riders won’t get charged parking fees in these carparks as long as they leave within 10 minutes.
But it doesn’t always work out that way.
Here’s an all too familiar scenario: you go to a friend’s house just to drop something off. You’re not worried about the parking charges, because you’ll be done in less than five minutes. I just need to pass him this Hello Kitty face mask, it shouldn’t take long, right?
But when you get to the carpark, you see that there are no vacant lots and about 15 officers from the Traffic Police.
By the time a lot becomes available, 15 minutes have passed and you’re wondering why life is so unfair.
Motorists all simultaneously jumped for joy when the authorities announced that the grace period would be increased to 20 minutes back in May, but sadly, that will soon be taken away.
Extended Parking Grace Period of 20-Minutes in HDB / URA Carparks Will be Reverted to the Original 10-Minutes Grace Period from 19 Aug
From 19 Aug, motorists will once again have to watch the clock when entering HDB or URA carparks.
In a Facebook post yesterday, HDB announced that the extended grace period of 20 minutes for HDB and URA electronic car parks will end on 19 Aug, when restrictions are further eased.
“Our car parks will revert to the original 10-minute grace period,” it said.
The grace period was increased to 20 minutes on 23 May so delivery personnel had more time to park their vehicles and make deliveries.
CapitaLand malls also extended their grace period for parking then.
At the time, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee urged other malls and private sector partners to do the same, to “show their support for our delivery workers.”
10 Minutes Not Enough?
Some netizens were not pleased with the reversion, saying a grace period of ten minutes was never long enough, to begin with.
“20 mins allows young parents more time to drop their child in the childcare centre without needing to rush…” one commenter said.
“10min grace is really very short. Even just want to drop something upstairs, need to wait for parking and lift. By the time come down, it is more than 10min. HDB should review the grace period. I think 20min is more reasonable. Not to mention there are some carparks which are very cramp and by the time you find a parking slot, it is already 10min,” said another.
Others pointed out that while the 10-minute grace period is sufficient for drop-offs and pick-ups, drivers delivering goods or picking up and dropping off passengers with disabilities will need a little more time.
What do you think?
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