By Laura Michell
A motorist is fined for illegally parking at Coolaroo train station almost every day, making it the worst station in Hume and Whittlesea for illegally parked cars.
Latest data from the Department of Transport reveals 362 fines were issued at Coolaroo station between March 1, 2018 and March 1, 2019.
The next highest number of fines were issued at Thomastown (160), followed by Epping (91) and Roxburgh Park (53).
South Morang commuters were fined the least (13).
Mernda station’s carparks are not gazetted, meaning no data is available on the number of fines issued there.
Motorists can be fined for parking not completely within a parking bay, stopping in a no stopping area and stopping in a permit zone.
Hume and Whittlesea commuters have long complained about problems parking at train stations, reporting that carparks are often full by 6.30am, forcing them to drive to stations further up the line.
A recent state government survey of 200 Craigieburn commuters found that more than 50 per cent were forced to park in local streets.
Hume council has been lobbying for an increase in train station parking, particularly at Broadmeadows.
The RACV’s 2017 On Track Survey found difficulty finding a parking space was one of the main issues commuters had with train stations in the north.
Last year, the state government announced it would build at extra 745 spaces at Craigieburn station and 70 spaces at Epping station – however they won’t be available until mid-2020.
Yuroke MP Ros Spence said a concept design for the new 745-space carpark at Craigieburn would be available later this month.
“Work is already under way in delivering more parking on Potter Street straight away – as we do the work to provide 745 new carparks for commuters in 2020,” she said.
