Delivery companies can reserve parking lots at over 50 HDB car parks to use as 'courier hubs'

SINGAPORE: Delivery companies can from Monday (Sep 9) reserve lots at over 50 Housing and Development Board (HDB) car parks after the Courier Hub Scheme was formalised.

The scheme was piloted in 2021 and 2022 and has seen "positive outcomes", said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and HDB in a circular.

Under the pilot programme, some HDB multi-storey car parks were selected as courier hubs where delivery companies could conduct activities such as parcel unloading, sorting and dispatching to parcel walkers. 

"With fewer trips required by delivery vehicles, the courier hubs also helped to reduce the time spent on the roads by drivers, thus improving efficiency and bringing down overall carbon footprint," said the circular.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said the pilot provided delivery companies with a "safe and convenient space to sort and handle parcels within HDB car parks".

"Through the pilot, we saw increased productivity and reduced outbound delivery times, allowing customers to receive their parcels earlier," he wrote.

RESERVING LOTS

Interested companies may apply to reserve lots at HDB multi-storey car parks from Monday. These car parks were selected "based on the availability of space and feedback received", said URA.

Applications close at 5.30pm on Oct 4.

To apply for the lots, a person has to be:

• A Singaporean or permanent resident aged at least 18
• The sole proprietor or owner of a company incorporated in Singapore
• The company has to be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

A person may select their preferred location from the list of multi-storey car parks. They are required to apply for a minimum of four lots and can apply for a maximum of 12 lots per site per application.

No changes can be made once applications have been submitted, according to HDB's website.

The sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date and time each application is received, it added.

Depending on the availability of lots at each car park, more than one company may be assigned to the same car park.

Successful applicants will sign a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) and will be informed of its start date. They will be allowed to use the car park under the scheme for one year. 

They will be required to pay a one-year TOL fee of S$70 per lot per month and a three-month security deposit based on the number of lots taken up.

Parking charges will continue to apply for vehicles using the car park for courier hub activities.

The security deposit will be refunded at the end of the TOL period or upon termination, provided that the site is restored to its original condition and meets HDB’s satisfaction.

The designated spaces will be available for courier hub activities from 9am to 6pm daily.