SINGAPORE – When Punggol resident Charles Yee, 66, needed batteries previously, he had to go to the convenience store, a 10-minute walk away.
Now, he can just go down to his block’s void deck and purchase them from a vending machine.
The machine at Block 185 Edgefield Plains is among 63 that were recently installed at 12 Vending Hubs in Punggol Shore, offering everyday essentials and food.
They were officially launched on Dec 7 during a Christmas block party at Block 185 Edgefield Plains by Punggol GRC MP Yeo Wan Ling, who oversees Punggol Shore.
Mr Yee finds them useful: “We don’t have to walk too far. It’s like in Japan, where you can buy almost anything from vending machines.”
Besides residents, students from the nearby schools also buy drinks and snacks from the vending machines, said Mr Yee, a business owner.
The first vending machines were installed at the block about six months ago as part of a trial for this initiative.
Ms Yeo said: “Through our conversations with residents, we heard about the challenges they faced when they needed essentials outside regular shop hours. The community rallied together to address this need, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to bring this convenience directly into our neighbourhoods.”
Vending machines were chosen as they are available around the clock, she said. This improves residents’ access to food and essentials, as well as addresses concerns about the cost of living.
