Motorists back steeper meter parking fees to end space hogging in HK

Hong Kong's leading drivers' group is calling for even sharper increases to metered parking fees than the government's proposed doubling of rates, arguing current charges remain too cheap to deter all-day space hoarding.

Ringo Lee, president of Hong Kong Automobile Association, said on Thursday that premium pricing in busy districts could solve the city's chronic parking turnover problems.

"At HK$16 per hour, the new meter rates still cost less than what commercial car parks charge…We're effectively subsidizing people to monopolize meter parking spaces that should be for short-term use."

His comments came as transport officials prepare to implement the first meter rate hike in over a decade, jumping from HK$2 to HK$4 per 15 minutes.

The motorists' group wants targeted pricing that could see drivers in prime areas like Causeway Bay pay significantly more than those in outlying districts.

Their proposal reflects growing frustration among Hong Kong's 600,000 vehicle owners competing for just 20,000 metered spaces. Security camera studies show some meters in Central being occupied by the same vehicle for 8+ hours daily.

While supporting the fee increases, Lee cautioned against blanket enforcement of the proposed HK$400 parking fines.

"We need wardens to distinguish between someone blocking traffic and a delivery driver unloading for five minutes," he said, noting the stiffer penalty now equals half a taxi driver's daily wages.

The parking reforms gain urgency following viral videos showing a fiery argument between a motorist and staff of a car repair shop over a parking meter space in Tsuen Wan.

As legislators prepare to debate the changes next month, the motorists' group warned that the current proposal may not go far enough.

"Unless parking becomes properly expensive where demand is highest," Lee said, "we'll keep seeing the same vehicles camped at meters from open to close."

(Marco Lam)