The Victorian Labor government has promised an extra 1,500 new train station car parking spaces along Melbourne’s Cranbourne and Pakenham lines if re-elected later in the year.
The parking spaces were announced as part of a plan to provide over 11,000 spaces through a $150 million Car Parks for Commuters Fund, which aims at installing spaces at the state’s busiest metropolitan and regional train stations.
Approximately 150 new car parking spaces will be built at at Dandenong and 135 new spaces at Lynbrook Station. Cranbourne Station is to receive at least 400 extra spaces, up from the current 683. Pakenham Station parking capacity will be more than doubled with an extra 450 spaces.
“Not only will we build more spaces at Dandenong Station, we’ll reduce parking pressure along the whole line,” Labor MP for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams said.
“This will mean fewer people driving into Dandenong just to find a park, and less competition for local commuters.”
Around 55,000 station spaces are currently across the state. The investment will see a 20 per cent increase in available parking.
Further announcements for additional parking at other stations will be made in the coming weeks. In addition to building the new parking, funding will also provide for more additional safety and accessibility features, including new lighting, security and signage.
“We know how frustrating it is to get to the train station but not be able to find a car park. That’s why Labor will create 11,000 new parks across the state,” premier Daniel Andrews said.