Free park, will travel Author: By PAUL MAGUIRE Date: 27/02/2008 Publication: Newcastle Herald
NATIONAL Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA) director Kyle Loades has called for more free, safe car parking close to regional railway stations.
A lack of all-day parking and drop-off parking was forcing Newcastle area commuters to steer clear of public transport, driving cars to and from work and enduring traffic jams, such as those regularly experienced on the F3 freeway between Newcastle and Sydney, he said.
Mr Loades said the NRMA audited "park and ride" facilities throughout NSW recently and surveyed 600 motorists about their transport habits.
Of those surveyed, 43 per cent said they would use park-and-ride facilities, rather than drive to work, if more facilities were available in secure areas.
Only 18 per cent used public transport, while 37 per cent drove from home, parked near stations and rode trains to and from work.
"The lack of safe parking is the main reason people don't drive to stations and take a train to work, " Mr Loades said.
"Personal safety, damage and theft of cars could be addressed if more parking was available and it was protected by security officers and closed-circuit television.
"Park-and-ride facilities are part of a growing international trend aimed to reduce road congestion, lower society's carbon footprint and address rising petrol costs."
Mr Loades said it was good that there were three paid parking stations and on-street parking near Newcastle railway station, but a major concern was that the station had no adjoining free all-day or drop-off parking.
"The NRMA is calling on state and local government, business and transport providers to work together on a more integrated transport solution," he said. "We want to see park-and-ride facilities factored into all transport planning."