The morning rush is about to get a bit easier for commuters, with extra parking spaces to be added to Craigieburn and Epping train stations.
The state government has announced that 745 new parking spaces will be created at Craigieburn station, taking the total number of spaces to 1100.
A new car park will be built along the eastern edge of the Hume Highway, directly east of the station.
Seventy-four spaces will be added at Epping, bringing the total car parks to 128.
The spaces will be funded in next month’s state budget, with $60 million to be set aside for 2000 extra parking spaces, secure bicycle storage facilities and better pedestrian access at key train stations.
Extra spaces will also be added to Belgrave and Sandown Park stations.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the funding would ensure people can get a park at their local train station.
“It’s frustrating to turn up at a station car park in the morning and find it already full- that’s why we’re building thousands of new car spaces to make it easier for people to get where they need to go,” he said.
The RACV has welcomed the parking boost, acknowledging that parking at railway stations has been a bug-bear for commuters.
Mobility advocacy manager Dave Jones said the RACV’s recent On Track Survey found that parking was the biggest issue for Craigieburn and Epping commuters.
“It is great to see this issue being addressed by the state government, however, commuters also highlighted the need for improved bus connections at these stations, which underscores the need for a multi-modal approach to train station access,” he said.
Yuroke MP Ros Spence said the extra spaces meant commuters would no longer clog up neighbouring streets with their cars and would free up more car parking for local traders, shoppers and residents.
“This is a great boost for Craigieburn- which will now have more than 1000 car parks thanks to this investment,” she said.
“We’re making sure more people can get a park at Craigieburn station and get home safer and sooner.”
Details: victrack.com.au/carparkupgrades
