Federal and State Labor will partner to build a $32 million, multi-level car park at the Mandurah Train Station to ease shortages and encourage more commuters to use public transport.
Federal Labor’s $16 million contribution will be drawn from our $300 million National Park and Ride Fund for new or expanded car parks at public transport hubs.
Each weekday Mandurah Station’s existing 1,200 parking bays are full by 7.30am.
This means commuters rushing to catch their trains to work are forced to park in surrounding streets and walk to the station, creating inconvenience for nearby residents. Alternatively, they simply drive to work.
The new 1,000 bay multi-level car park will be built on a portion of the existing car park as part of the METRONET public transport project. Subject to final planning, it could increase parking capacity at station to as many as 2,200 spaces.
This will make life easier for commuters who Park and Ride and also open up opportunities for more motorists to use public transport.
Traffic congestion is acting as a hand brake on productivity and is eroding Australians' quality of life.
The problem has worsened during more than five years of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government, which has cut funding for public transport projects across the nation.
Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said investing in Park and Ride facilities would make a real, practical difference for commuters while also reducing congestion for local residents.
“We’ll not only invest in new public transport services, but also deliver practical measures to help commuters get to work with a minimum of fuss, including through our new Park and Ride Fund,’’ Mr Albanese said.
“Public transport isn’t just about the train line or bus route itself. It’s also about the surrounding infrastructure that makes it work.’’
Labor candidate for Canning Mellisa Teede said the difficulty finding a parking space at the Mandurah Train Station was a key issue raised by constituents whenever she door-knocked or campaigned around the community.
“People are having to get to Mandurah Station earlier and earlier just to get a park,” Ms Teede said.
“And when they arrive to find that all the parks are taken up, they drive, creating more congestion. Or they park on side streets and risk fines.
“People in Mandurah deserve a fair go, not longer commutes and parking fines.”
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019