VEHICLE PARKING On-street parking is allowed on designated parking spaces. As at the end of 2003, there were about 20,000 designated parking spaces in the territory, of which about 17,700 were regulated by meters. A private company under a management contract is responsible the management and operation of these metered parking spaces. Starting from April 1998 to September 1999, all coin-operated mechanical parking meters were replaced by electronic parking devices, which accept disposable e-Park cards issued by the government. Since the existing e-Park Card operated meters had been gradually reaching the end of their useful life, Transport Department had launched the first phase of Parking Meter Replacement Scheme in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Eastern District, Tsuen Wan, Yau Tsim Mong and Ho Man Tin during June and July 2003, replacing e-Park cards operated meters with reloadable Octopus card operated meters. Phase II of the replacement scheme for the remaining e-Park Card operated parking meters started in June 2004. The whole replacement scheme completed on 21 November 2004. All parking meters in Hong Kong are now operated by Octopus card. Off-street parking is provided by the government as well as the private sector. As at end 2003, there were 13 Transport Department multi-storey car parks in the territory with a total of 7,134 spaces (6,785 private car parking spaces and 349 motorcycle parking spaces). The car parks were managed by two private companies under management contracts. In addition, 98 parking spaces are also provided at the View Point Car Park in the Tsing Ma Control Area, which is managed by the operator of Tsing Ma Control Area. On 1 May 2003, this Department took over the operation of Sheung Shui Park-and-Ride Public Car Park. The car park, which provides 194 private car parking spaces and 3 rehabilitation bus parking spaces, is currently managed by a private company under a management contract.