there's something about ..... car park

By and large, there are about 6 car park system currently used in Singapore.

Starting from the old generation to the latest generation:

1. Coupon

Method: You purchase parking coupons and remove the tabs or chads if you are american, corresponding the the date and time at the point of parking and hope parking warden stop patrolling the area.

Problem: You have to ensure you have enough coupons in the car as these are only available for sales AWAY from these carparks.

Age of this system: Probably 25 to 30 years.

Where: Almost all HDB car parks and half of those surface carparks you find anywhere else.


2. Ticket; pay to human

Method: You pick up a ticket at the car park entrance from a validating machine. And you pay at the exit to the attendant stationing in a booth.

Problem: You have to ensure you have enough cash with you, otherwise, it can be a disaster if there are cars piling up behind you when you are exiting and you need to go draw cash from a ATM.

Age of this system: Probably 20 to 25 years.

Where can you find one: Shaw Centre at Beach Road


3. Ticket; pay t0 machine

Method: You pick up a ticket at the entrance. And before you leave the area or a mall, you pay at a ticket machine before picking up your car. You would have about 10 mins from time of payment to exit the mall.

Problem: Rather fuss free. You can often find a ATM around the corner if the car park charges is more than what you find.

Age of this system: Probably about 10 to 15 years.

Where can you find one: Liang Court

4. Cash Card system 1. Must wind down window one.

Method: You use the same cash card in the IU, instead of receiving a ticket from the gantry at the car park entrance, you insert your cash card into the machine to validate the time of entrance. At the exit, you again insert the same cash card into the machine determine the time spent and the amount. The amount is thus deducted from the cash card directly.

Problem: You have to ensure you have sufficient funds in the Cashcard. Otherwise, it can be a disaster if the cars are piling up behind you when you are exiting and you need to go top up the cash card somewhere.

Age of the system: About 5 years. And facing Obsolesence.

Where can you find one: Some car parks within a complex that may have a hotel component. Eg. Scotts Shopping Centre

5. Cashcard System 2. ERP style.

Method: It uses the cash card already in your car's IU. You do not have to do anything except to drive slowly pass the censor which will detect your cashcard and validate the time of entrance. When you exit, it will also automatically deduct from your cash card without having you to do anything.

Problem: You have to ensure you have sufficient funds in your cash card. Otherwise it can be a disaster if cars are piling up behind you when you are exiting and you need to go top up the cash card elsewhere.

Age of the system: Probably 3-4 years ago.

Where can you find this: Almost in every complex in Singapore... except the next one.

6. Cash card system 3. Also must wind down window one....

Method: Same as method 4.

Problem: You have to ensure there is sufficient fund in your cash card. Otherwise it can be a disaster if cars are piling up behind you WHEN YOU ARE ENTERING and you need to go top up the cash card at the Main Lobby of the OFFICE COMPLEX, after which YOU WILL TRY TO ENTER THE CAR PARK AGAIN!!! CASH CARD NO VALUE... SORRY YOU ARE TOO POOR TO ENTER OUR CAR PARK!!

Age of the system: Probably 3 years.

Where can you find this: CANON OFFICE AT HARBOURFRONT, KEPPEL BAY TOWER