THE Housing Board has deployed marshals from a private company to guide drivers at a much-talked-about carpark in Holland Village that has recently been outfitted with an electronic parking system.
They are there to help improve traffic flow around the 400-lot Holland Avenue carpark, which has been at the centre of a three-week controversy.
Last month, the HDB forced two popular valet services that operated out of the carpark to close down, saying they caused congestion, harassed motorists and blocked lanes.
On Sept 22, the HDB introduced the electronic system for the carpark, the closest one to Holland Village's restaurants, bars, spas and retail outlets.
When The Straits Times visited last Friday evening, carpark marshals dressed in red polo T-shirts were seen guiding motorists to available lots. They work for G.Tech, the company that manages the electronic system, which runs on CashCards.
The HDB said on Tuesday that the setup, which charges drivers by the minute, has cut down on the number of motorists who monopolise lots. It said the new system has helped an additional 300 to 700 motorists find a spot each day.
Some motorists who spoke to The Straits Times, though, said they still preferred valet parking, which they said were more convenient.
With the new system, drivers who head to the area at popular times, such as on Fridays and weekends, still have trouble getting lots, and many are forced to wait in the carpark for some time before they can park.
"In an emergency, I don't have to wait around. I'll just give the car to the valet and head off," said Ms Jocelyn Wong, 31, an interior designer.
Last Friday, for example, at least six cars were seen waiting for a lot between 7pm and 8pm.
Eleven out of the 15 motorists interviewed said sometimes, the wait took as long as 20 minutes.
Sales manager Rajan Subramaniam, 35, was among them.
"They still let cars in when it is full. I am paying for every minute while waiting," he said.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the HDB said drivers should consider nearby carparks during prime hours.
These include the multi-storey carparks at Block 5A Holland Close, Block 10A Holland Drive, the surface carpark next to the Buona Vista Swimming Complex and the on-street carpark at Chip Bee Gardens. All are within walking distance of Holland Village.
It added that though the carpark does not bar drivers from entering when it is full, they are given a 10-minute grace period to look for a lot before exiting it.
Meanwhile, some businesses in the area which had deals with the valet companies to park their customers' cars have seen their takings drop.
Mrs Sabrinah Hussin, 23, who manages Splendour Spa, said she has had fewer walk-in customers, and the number of regulars has dropped by half.
