State Government Urged to Fund Park and Ride as Council Grants Reprieve

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling on the state government to continue funding Newcastle's Park and Ride bus service.

Last Thursday, council CEO Jeremy Bath was shocked to read in an article from The Newcastle Herald that state funding for the service would likely finish at the end of March despite positive talks between council and the government.

The NSW government was expected to formally advise council of its decision by last Friday but is yet to do so, leading to a decision from council to step in and cover the costs until the end of April.

City of Newcastle has agreed to underwrite the service for the month of April while it undertakes a detailed cost analysis of the operation, but Sonia Hornery says the burden shouldn't fall on local government.

"Really it's a state government responsibility and it should be funded by the state government for the people who live in the western suburbs," said Ms Hornery.

"I urge them to have some courage, consider the needs of the people of the western suburbs of Newcastle and continue to fund the popular Park and Ride system."

The service won't run on Friday, March 29th due to the Super Rugby match at McDonald Jones Stadium but will operate as usual from Monday.

Image: The Herald

 

John Hunter Roadworks Renew Calls To Expedite The Newcastle Inner City Bypass

BY JARROD MELMETH

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says while she welcomes traffic improvement measures at the John Hunter Hospital, only the construction of a second entrance and expedition of Stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will solve the major traffic issues.

The roadworks due to commence on Wednesday, July 18, will see the resurfacing of the road leading into the Hospital and down past the main entry. The works will also see the road alongside the front of the Hospital and main carparks turned into two way so that cars do not have to travel around the Hospital if leaving from the carpark near the Pathology Building.

Ms Hornery said while it won't stop the major congestion, it will hopefully ease some of the significant delays motorists experience.

"The solution is that we look at alternative roads being built as well. That means expediting the completion of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass from Jesmond to Rankin Park.

"It also means looking at how we can get commuters, staff, visitors and patients in the John Hunter Hospital off the road. This could be achieved through the re-installation of the free shuttle service that used to operate very successfully from Macdonald Jones Stadium.

"If the government were fair dinkum about easing congestion they would improve public transport so commuters from around the area can get to places like the John Hunter, the Mater and the University without being forced to drive because they have no alternative," Ms Hornery said.

The road travelling west at the John Hunter Hospital campus set to be
turned into two-way driving.

Park and ride free for another month

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle City Council has extended the free introductory period for the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium until February 26. 

Originally the service would start costing commuters $2 return from the 26th of January, but, council says the extra time will be used to finalise a mobile phone app designed to make the payment as convenient as possible for commuters. 

Council CEO Jeremy Bath said there is still some work to do on the development of the app before it is ready to go.

Council recently surveyed users of the service to understand what improvements could be made.

More than nine in 10 of 243 respondents said they had recommended park and ride to a friend and more than half said they used it three days a week or more.

The vast majority of respondents or 86 per cent said the service times suited their commuting needs.

But earlier starting times were raised as a possible improvement for the return afternoon leg.

"We will look at the scheduling to see if we can move the pm starting time forward from 4.30pm to 3.30 or even 3pm in line with the feedback.

"Council is doing everything it can to make it easier for workers to get into the city during what is clearly a time of significant disruption, but which we know will ultimately lead to a vastly improved city for all," Mr Bath said.

The Park and ride bus at McDonald Jones Stadium. Image Supplied.

Park and Ride an Early Success

By MATT JOHNSTON

Newcastle's commuter park and ride service launched this morning, with initial reactions already prompting council to expand the service. The free shuttle from McDonald Jones Stadium into Newcastle's CBD already has over 500 registered users looking to save money on parking closer to town.

Newcastle City Council's interim Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath says it's been an early success, despite "inclement" weather and other factors. He says it's a fantastic result when you consider the weather and the fact that Mondays are traditional less busy in terms of traffic.

Over 100 people used the service this morning, who gave council "a really positive response". Jeremy says "everyone was happy with the service".

"We're already in discussions in regard to expanding the park and ride from 2018 to include the Newcastle Showground. I think undoubtedly based on the registrations and even just on today's first experience, there is a very strong demand from commuters for a park and ride service into the city."

The service is being touted by council as a money-saving measure for commuters, with the shuttle being free until the end of January 2018. After January, the cost will increase to $2, which still represents a saving when compared to parking costs in the central business district.

Registration for the service is still open, with council urging as many commuters to take up the scheme as possible. Timetables and details for stops are also available on the park and ride website.

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride

Free Park And Ride Trial Set To Free Up Newcastle CBD Parking Spaces

BY IAN CROUCH and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A new park and ride plan is expected to take up to 350 vehicles out of the Newcastle CBD each weekday.

From Monday, people can park at McDonald Jones Stadium and catch a free bus into the city every 15 minutes between 6.30 and 8.30 on weekday mornings, with a return service between 4.30 and 6pm.

Morning buses will stop at four locations and the afternoon return service will pick up commuters from Customs House, the corner of Perkins and King Streets, Civic and Marketown every 15 minutes.

It's expected to save workers $1400 a year in parking fees.

The free trial continues until January 29 when a $2 fee applies to park at the Stadium.

It's hoped the service will free up car parks for CBD shoppers and ease congestion while the light rail is built.

Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel, said it's a great initiative. "It reduces the cost to the commuter, and I think businesses will appreciate just how many car spaces are freed-up throughout the day.

"Commuters will be able to easily get into the city and enjoy the activities that we're putting on as part of Revitalising Newcastle." 

The trial will also help gauge support for Council's push to extend the light rail line to Broadmeadow.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for people to vote with their cars by jumping on to this park and ride bus morning and afternoon," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"This will be a huge benefit for us pushing our case for the expansion of the light rail network
out to this stadium precinct."

There will be alternative park and ride locations when the Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights have weekday evening matches at the stadium, but those locations have not yet been determined.

"So at the moment there's a lot of land around this precinct at Broadmeadow," Ms Nelmes said, "We're working with Venues NSW for those couple of times in the next 12 months where there are Knights or Jets games on a Friday to look for an alternative site; that's a work in progress."

She believes the service will operate smoothly.

"A lot of work has gone into ensuring the operations of this service will be as simple as possible, and as cheap as possible."

Commuters wanting to use the service must register for a free permit either online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride or by calling Newcastle Council on 4974 2000.

Proud: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel. Image: Lauren Freemantle.

Park And Ride Service About To Start At McDonald Jones Stadium.