Premature to cut back on parking lots to discourage car ownership

I refer to the letter “To wean people off cars, cut back on parking spots” (June 18).

The writer suggested the Government discourage car ownership by reducing the number of car park lots and increasing car park fees. He then proposed making car-sharing options easily available so that people can have discretionary access to cars, and also that the Government promote equitable access to mobility, such as for those who occasionally need a car but cannot afford high Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums.

These are well-intentioned proposals, but they may not complement one another, and do not necessarily result in a reduction in the number of cars on our roads. Even assuming that people would be keen on car-sharing schemes, it is incorrect to assume that the discretionary use of cars tends to take place during off-peak hour.

There is no reason for people to not use these cars to commute to work. If a car-sharing scheme makes travelling in a car cheaper — a person no longer needs to buy a car or shoulder alone the high cost and convenience of parking — this may result in high demand, and thus more of such cars on the roads.

As for those who choose not to travel by car, they may switch to taking taxis. Higher demand for taxis may lead to more taxis on the road, hence the number of cars on roads might not come down. And if people opt for public transport instead, and the public transport system is unable to cope with increased ridership, this might mean longer waits at MRT stations and bus stops.

The Government currently strives to provide equitable access to public transport by providing transport subsidies to senior citizens, students and the low-income. It is always debatable whether the Government can do more, but it is clear that subsidies and assistance should always be to those genuinely in need.

It is questionable whether the Government should help those who cannot afford COE premiums to have access to cars, in the name of “ensuring equitable access to mobility for everyone”.

It is premature and extreme to consider cutting back on parking space or raising car park fees to reduce the number of cars on the road.

One must consider whether the public transport system in its current state could support the increase in passengers, should car users decide to switch to public transport, and acting too hastily may cause a slowdown in traffic on the roads instead.