In August 2005, HDB introduced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to replace the use of paper season parking tickets at five carparks in Choa Chu Kang and Bedok on a pilot basis. Now, the system has been gradually introduced to the various precincts of Singapore.

It is definitely a very good use of technology whereby we can save paper (to change parking disc monthly or quarterly). As a result, motorists do not have to replace the paper season parking ticket upon renewal, and parking attendants can simply use their handheld devices to scan the RFID tag for the Unique Identification Number (UID).

How can I tell if this car has actually bought the season parking for this car park for the particular month? I have noticed that the car park near my house has been swamped with many cars parked on the season parking lot. For 2 days, I stalked out at the car park at staggered timing, and found many car owners, who are not season parking holders to this car park, were parked at the season holder slots without tearing any parking coupon. These are patrons to the nearby coffee shop near Braddell MRT.

In the past, you may call it 'citizen-policing' (in line with citizen journalism), we could simply walk up to the car windscreen, scrutinize the season parking ticket to see if that car holds a season parking ticket to that particular car park. Now, unless we are equipped with the handheld devices to scan the RFID tag, there is no way to tell so to make a complaint to the HDB car park section.

In addition, on a couple of occasions, I have made calls to the HDB with regard to cars parking on Disabled lots. I have waited long enough to see if the car park attendant comes, as promised by the person on the phone that he will send his car park attendant down to check, and no car park attendant has turned up on those occasions, even I waited for an hour to see the owner of that car, an abled-body person walking slowly towards that car, and he has enjoyed that free one-hour parking at the handicap lot.

So, with technology and call centres in place, where is the CATCH?