Commuter demand sees extension to Park and Ride facilities

Record numbers of people taking the train means four Park and Ride carparks are being extended across the region.

Last year's record passenger number of 12.1 million has already been exceeded, with 12.5 million trips expected for the 2015/2016 year ending on 30 June.

"Passenger numbers have been steadily increasing for the past five years, with many people getting out of their cars at the local station and hopping on the train," says Greater Wellington Regional Council Sustainable Transport Committee Chair Paul Swain. 

"It's become a preferred way to travel for many and eases congestion on the region's roads. We're doing all we can to meet people's demand for the Park and Ride option."

Extensions to Park and Ride facilities means there will be 471 extra commuter parking spaces spread across Upper Hutt, Trentham, Porirua and Waikanae railway stations. 

Extra carparks by Park and Ride location:

- Upper Hutt - 94 new parks means 322 parks in total, construction completed in September (weather dependent)

- Trentham -40 new parks means 134 parks in total, construction completed in August (weather dependent)

- Waikanae - 237 new parks means 407 parks in total, construction completed in December (weather dependent)

- Porirua - 100 new overflow parks means 802 parks in total available by July

Cr Swain says it can be complicated finding available land in built up areas, but the benefits to commuters, the local community and the wider region are worth the investment.

The extensions will mean there will be over 6000 Park and Ride spaces across the region.

ENDS

Media contact: 021 914 266 or comms@gw.govt.nz