I REFER to the recent announcement that night-parking charges for cars at carparks in Housing Board estates will be raised from $2 to $4 with effect from Nov 1.

While the move is meant to ensure enough parking spaces for season-parking ticket holders, it is a short-sighted measure.

The authorities have failed to recognise that an increase in parking fees does not translate to more parking places.

No matter how high the charges are, when a car owner needs to park his car, he will shell out the money required.

To solve parking woes, more parking spaces need to be created.

The increase in overnight parking charges at HDB estates may even create problems for residents of private houses located near HDB areas, as car owners may resort to parking near those residences to save money.

Such areas include Westville in Jurong, Villa Verde in Choa Chu Kang and Lakegrove in Lakeside.

The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system is a good example of how raising prices does not solve problems.

Despite the fees imposed on motorists during peak hours, traffic jams are still common in places where ERP gantries have been set up.

Here are a few suggestions to target the night-parking crunch.