S'porean, 68, disputes S$10 fee for 30 minutes of parking at People's Park Centre due to 'CNY surcharge'

A Singaporean man was charged S$10 for 30 minutes of parking at People's Park Centre, more than usual, supposedly due to a "Chinese New Year surcharge".

According to emails seen by Mothership, the 68-year-old senior citizen, who wanted to be known as Terry, had parked from 4:48pm to 5:18pm on Jan. 26, 2026.

Increase supposedly due to CNY period

Terry claimed that when he called Wilson Parking's customer service hotline, the operator stated that the increase in prices was due to the Chinese New Year period.

"A lady answered my call. When I told her about the exorbitant charges, she said during the Chinese New Year period from either 22nd or 23rd Jan 2026 onwards, the charges had increased."

Terry said he was semi-retired and "depended on every cent" he saved.

After back-and-forth emails with operations admins from Wilson Parking, the company investigated the matter and found that his parking charges were accurate, and therefore his appeal for a refund would be rejected.

Refund dispute

Wilson Parking stated that the S$10 charge was split into 4:48pm to 5pm, being S$4.20 and 5pm to 5:18pm priced at S$5.80 as per-entry parking.

However, Terry disputed the charges, citing People's Park Centre's website.

According to this, the first period from 4:48pm to 5pm should have been S$1.20 as it was below half an hour.

The second period from 5pm to 5:18pm, was S$2 for per-entry parking, based on the website.

Hence, Terry said his total should have been S$3.20.

Refer to signs instead

The Wilson Parking staff refuted this and told Terry, "moving forward, please avoid viewing the rates from such websites".

"You can refer to the rates reflected on the car park signage which are placed near to the entry gantries. It’s 100% accurate."

However, Terry claimed he didn't notice any signs that gave motorists a warning before entering.

Terry said he felt upset and frustrated with the ordeal and the extra charge he had to pay.

Mothership has reached out to Wilson Parking for comment.

Top photo from Ronald Wu/Google Maps