Residents win more rail parking spots

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE residents have successfully lobbied the State Government to have 90 new car parking spaces at Cranbourne Railway Station.
The residents originally approached Cranbourne MP Jude Perera about the extra spaces and kept lobbying their local member until the issue went before Parliament.
Last Friday Transport Minister Peter Batchelor announced the additional parking spaces for Cranbourne as part of the Government’s Park and Ride program.
“In providing Park and Ride facilities, we are keen to encourage commuters to use their local train stations and limit their driving into the city,” Mr Batchelor said.
“We realise for that to happen, quality facilities have to be provided, including more car parking at suburban stations.”
Additional lighting would also be installed at the car park.
Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) spokesman Alex Makin said while the additional parking was a start, the State Government needed to address why the parks were needed in the first place.
Mr Makin said bus services to and from the station were inadequate.
“This is the reason people have to drive to the station. They have no other choice,” he said.
“Also, the proposed Cranbourne East Railway Station seems to have completely fallen off the radar.”
He said some bus services only ran to 7pm, making it impossible for those working in the city to get home in time, while other buses missed the connecting train, leaving people stranded at the station.
A Casey Council-funded trial bus service from Pearcedale to the Cranbourne Railway Station starts at 9am, meeting the station at 9.30am, while the final afternoon service leaves at 2.25pm.
Mr Makin said the temporary service was council’s way of easing the public transport problem and the limited hours were not council’s fault.
“Public transport is the responsibility of the State Government, not council,” he said.
“Council has limited fund possibilities so the services provided are minimal. It’s a Catch 22. Council provides the service purely out of frustration but if the Government did its job, council wouldn’t have to worry.”
Mr Perera said the extra lighting would enhance safety and security around the station.
“With petrol prices increasing people are looking at alternate methods of transport,” Mr Perera said.
“By providing safe, secure parking spaces at suburban stations the Victorian Government is making public transport services a lot more accessible to people.”
The parking spaces and work at the station should be completed by the middle of next year.