Vending machines in Punggol offer food, everyday essentials

Round-the-clock availability addresses challenges faced by residents, says MP

- Claudia Tan

A vending machine at Block 185 Edgefield Plains. It is one of 63 machines that were recently installed at 12 Vending Hubs in Punggol Shore, and officially launched on Dec 7. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

(SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS)

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.”