Passenger Rail

3,000 new car spots for Vic stations

Car key. Photo: Ingram Publishing

The Andrews Labor Government is building more than 3,000 extra commuter car parks at train stations across Victoria.

2,100 car spaces across 17 stations are to be upgraded through the Labor Government’s $20 million Station Car Park Upgrades Program.

First in line is Gisborne station, which is to receive not only 40 extra spaces, but also CCTV, bright lighting and better drainage to improve the safety and comfort of passengers.

Minister for public transport Jacinta Allan, who along with member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas was present at Gisborne Station for the announcement, stated the move would make it “quicker and easier for people to drive to the station and catch the train”.

“These extra spaces will make a real difference for local passengers – reducing the daily scramble to get a park and get the train,” Allan said.

These developments come after the introduction of the new V/Line timetable, which added 10 extra services on the Bendigo line, and after the delivery last year of two new peak services last year with the start of Bendigo Metro.

The Victorian government stated that the Gisborne upgrades will be complete by the end of July, while development on the other 17 stations’ upgrades are to be initiated by July and finished by the end of the year.

A further 1,000 spaces will be added to car parks at Castlemaine, Woodend, Clarkefield, Macedon, Kangaroo Flat, Wendouree, Marshall, South Geelong and Warrnambool stations, all of which will be provided by the $22 million Road and Rail Minor Works Program.

This program, however, is currently out to market, and the start dates of these developments remain uncertain. The Labor government expects these extra spaces to be delivered by the end of 2018.