I AM writing to express my displeasure at the management of Cathay Cineplex and the design and procedural flaws at its multi-storey carpark.

On 28 Nov, around 7.30pm, I drove to the cineplex in Dhoby Ghaut.

I drove into the CashCard operated multi-storey carpark and found that it was full.

From what I could see, one could not drive both ways through the carpark.

It appeared that once I entered, I could only head upwards and I eventually made it to the top level without finding a lot.

The way down led straight to the exit and did not allow access to levels one to three, denying me the chance to check if there were newly vacated lots.

Then, upon exiting the carpark, I had the fee for an hour's parking deducted from my CashCard, and I was upset that there was no grace period.

There was no sign to indicate that the carpark did not have a grace period.

This means that each time a driver enters the carpark and fails to find a lot, he either has to stay in the building until a lot becomes vacant, or pay the fee for an hour's parking. How can this be considered fair?

There is also an ERP gantry as you drive out, and I had to pay this charge as well.

I entered the carpark a second time later and finally found a lot. I went to the customer service counter to ask for an explanation.

The person there told me that I should redirect my queries to the carpark supervisor on level 2. I asked for a specific contact but could not get through on the phone.

A couple of days later, I called again and was told that the carpark was actually two way, though I feel that this was not clearly indicated.

The person in charge also explained that there was no grace period because the carpark is right next to the ERP gantry and this was to deter drivers from waiting there for the gantry operating hours to pass.

If that is the case, there should be appropriate and clear notifications before the entrance so drivers will know they have to pay if they enter at all.

There should also be more ample warning if the carpark is full, so that drivers can avoid paying for nothing.

FROM READER WILLIAM CHOY

This article was first published in The New Paper on Dec 11, 2008.