KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Kaohsiung City's Transportation Bureau (高雄市交通局) announced on Tuesday (Sept. 10) plans to implement a paid management system for disability parking spaces starting Oct. 1.
The bureau aims to address the issue of long-term occupation of these spaces, which has led to the alleged privatization of public resources and unfair practices.
The bureau stated that the move would ensure fair and effective use of public parking resources while protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. The new system will charge based on the rates of designated parking areas, either by time or per usage.
Under the new regulations, individuals with a disability parking identification card or a specific vehicle license plate will receive parking discounts. Kaohsiung residents with disabilities can park for free for the first four hours in timed spaces and will be charged the full rate from the fifth hour.
In per-usage spaces, they will be charged half the rate. Non-residents with disabilities will receive a 50% discount in both timed and per-usage spaces.
The bureau urged citizens to comply with parking regulations, strictly prohibiting general vehicles from occupying disability parking spaces and preventing long-term occupation. The city government will continue to strengthen inspections and crack down on violations to maintain a good public parking order.
The implementation of this system reflects a broader effort to ensure equitable access to public resources and improve the turnover rate of parking spaces, which will benefit the community at large.