By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Berwick railway station’s overflowing car park will receive 40 extra spots by December, the State Government has announced.
But until then, there will be no relief from City of Casey’s parking officers for punished commuters such as Danielle Soobaroyen.
Ms Soobaroyen had told Star News on 30 March how she couldn’t afford to go to work and risk paying a fine due to a lack of all-day parking spots near the station from 7.20am.
Her tale struck a chord with many readers.
One offered to anonymously pay Ms Soobaroyen’s most recent $78 parking infringement, others called for a multi-level car park at the station or a commuter parking permit system.
Ali Uding wrote on the Cranbourne Berwick News’s Facebook page that she was in the same situation as Ms Soobaroyen – unable to get to the station earlier due to child care.
“I also panic that I won’t get a park and can’t get to work. It’s unacceptable and something needs to be done about this issue urgently.
“There needs to be more local jobs so we are not all commuting to the city.”
Others reported they regularly scored a car park at the station up to 7.15am or an on-street parking spot up until 7.45am.
Some suggested that Casey Council waive parking fines until the 40-space car park upgrade was finished.
City of Casey transport strategic advisor Transport Paul Hamilton said there would be no change to the parking regime.
“Council understands commuter’s frustrations but we also have to consider residents living near railway stations and the impacts that parking in residential streets has on them.
“While we welcome any additional parking, we will continue to advocate to the State Government for improved public transport services including better bus connections to the stations to help address the parking concerns.”
Public Transport Users’ Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said providing car spaces was an expensive solution and would never meet demand.
“It is critical that the government provide other options for getting people to the station. Better pedestrian and bicycle paths and secure cages will help, and frequent connecting buses are vital.
“It means that people who can’t drive can easily access train services, and saves families money if they can reduce the number of cars in the household.”
The State Government announced the car park upgrade on 31 March, including CCTV, bright lights and better drainage.
Works will begin in July as part of the government’s upgrading of 17 station car parks across the state.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Couacaud Graley said the upgrade will “make a real difference” for local commuters by “reducing the daily scramble to get a park and get the train”.
According to 2014 PTV data, nearly 2000 commuters use the station prior to 9.30am on weekdays.
About half of the station’s weekday commuters were driving their cars to get there before 9.30am.
