Loading & Unloading Bay in HDB Estates

ShutterBug SG

I post this topic, to highlight the lack of Terms or Rules governing the use of these Loading & Unloading Bays in HDB Estates.

You all are likely to be familiar with the Loading & Unloading Bay in HDB Estates, there's usually a sign that says in proper and simple English "No Waiting & No Parking", and more likely than not, you'd see a motorbike, a van, a car, or even some rubbish from renovation occupying it.

Now, I recently parked my vehicle in one, left it to collect some goods from an apartment to load into the vehicle. Returning 20 minutes later, I find a ticket title NOTICE OF INTENDED PROSECUTION, and $100 fine.

A check via email with HDB detailed me a reply that states;
The purpose of the loading and unloading bays are for motorists to park
their vehicle temporarily when carrying out loading and unloading
activities. Motorists have to move their vehicles to designated parking lot
after completing such activities.

I asked in reply;
While I understand the standing rule is that, the Loading & Unloading bays are for motorists to park their vehicles temporarily when carrying out loading and unloading activities, but I wish to ask, how long is 'temporarily'? The signboard says No Waiting, or Parking, but it lacks indication of time frame allowed. Or perhaps, a good consideration would be the deployment of parking meters for loading and unloading bays? It would make a parking offence less arguable, and the infringment, more outright.

So far and to date, I haven't got a reply.

In my opinion, the rules governing the use of these Loading & Unloading bays are at best, rather vague and ill-defined. Hence this facility is like a fish trap; in that it is used only in the best of the public's knowledge - if your vehicle happened to be parked there, and you're not around, you shall be assumed to have committed an offence.

In my suggestion to HDB vide email, I seeded the idea of implementing parking meters with integrated barriers controlled by time limit, and pointed out that this method would be beneficial to both the public and HDB. Although, I doubt that they'd consider my suggestion viable.

In any case, let me hear your views about these Loading and Unloading Bay in HDB Estates. Note that at anytime, most Loading and Unloading bays are occupied by some vehicle - loading or unloading or not. Each incident when caught, whenever the parking enforcement units are deployed in that area, a sizeable number of tickets can be harvested.

Is this FAIR to us?

auringedotcom SG

It probably means it's for you to unload the items, then park at designated parking lot, THEN move your goods upstairs.

I believe the purpose of the lot is for the convenience of residents/delivery people to move their goods closer to the lift lobby. Smile

798 SG

sorry to say this, loading bay is only meant for these purpose. no cars or motorcycle, bicycles, scooters should be park at all time.

imagine if your vehicle parked there and some construction work hitted your car, then who's fault is it?

i know most of the drivers will be tempted at the big spacing to park their vehicles, so you are not the 1st one. Mr. Green

Praetorian111 SG

Too many people has misused the intial intention of the parking lot. The ones who needed the most was always unable to park into the lot to unload goods.

mitgalant SG

i think HDB shd state the time allowed.

I mean who will purposely unload the goods then park their car, then they carry the goods again. It is a waste of time.

Why not juz let unload the goods and carry them all the way up. In this way, i think i would be faster.

Apollo_sg SG

shutterbug, do not communicate correspondence in tat manner, u r on the losing end.

u hv 2 options,

1st - go see them, bring along a letter of the place where u took the goods + more impt show tat u were unloading, see if they accept.

2nd - take the same letter to see ur MP.

magioluca SG

haiz, me too

Also slapped with a $100 fine last week when I went to pick my mum on her
grocery trip.....

Not that I wanted to, but I used to wait inside my car for her to come. Then
she called me saying she need help to carry as she needed to buy more incense paper...

Went 10 mins, come back and woohoo, a $100 fine on my car.... Aiyoh so zun

Sianzzzz

guitarman1 SG

I believe L/UL bay is not for u to disappear from the car and bring things upstairs. It's more like u can park there and start taking things off the car, and let other people carry it upstairs.

Like for example for movers, as they can't park elsewhere conveniently while having to unload so many things.

Mebe carry an empty carton inside ur car.. when u park there, put e carton outside the car, make it look like u doing L/UL activities Wink

ShutterBug SG

As I've stated; Parking Regulations governing use of these Loading & Unloading Bays, are at best vague, and inflexible.

For instance, a shop owner at my estate who uses the LUL bay gets fined almost monthly. The replies was that he should practically climb up and down the MSCP when unloading goods, or if and when required, go up to fetch his van in order to load goods. He was even given a ticket while he was in the van with engine runnning, becuase he fell asleep inside van.

What the heck happened to COMMON SENSE?

I am in the process of getting HDB Carparks division to instill more sensibility into their Parking Regulations with regards to the use of these bays. Otherwise I'm suggesting that they demolish all of them.

The options are there for HDB to issue business or shop owners additional seasonal fees for the use of the LUL during business hours (9-6pm) and likewise for home business owners. Or, install parking meters with an integrated ground-up barrier activated after period of parking time paid for is up.

PRICE/FARE INCREASES and FINES, can't always be their universal solution.

Lancer947 SG

I often see a kancil parking at the Loading and Unloading bay below my block. And often, it would be park the whole day there with the rear boot door open up.

And surprising, no summons and I even see the parking warden summon all other car but the kancil. Maybe, the kancil is the only one that left the door open.... Surprised

ShutterBug SG

Tricks and decoys like leaving the door/s open will only tighten rules on the misuse of these LUL bays.

The point is; the relevant authorities should think up a way to deter abusers, but allow those in need to benefit from these LUL bays. Otherwise, these bays are nothing more than revenue generating devices.

Install parking meters, charging a higher premium per half hour, and integrate a ground-up barier (like a steel pole) that rises in front of or behind parked vehicle preventing it from leaving the bay until over-parking charges are paid to the parking meter.

This, WILL surely work. But cost can be a bit high to implement, though it can be recovered by their use. This way, people can't park the whole day, and those who are making deliveries, loading & unloading, can't take their own sweet time.

Praetorian111 SG

Even in Johor they are already using the coupon system for parking... becos of the high cost involve in maintaining the parking meters. The high cost will only generate into increase in the cost of car park maintain and in turn falls to the consumers.