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

Labor's parking solution for Newcastle's CBD

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle Labor is promising to ease parking pressure in the CBD by partnering with businesses and land holders to free up space for car parks.

Labor's Nuatali Nelmes, the current Lord Mayor, announced their plan yesterday which will see them work collaboratively with businesses and land owners to open up space to create car parks. They say they're not ruling out creating financial incentives to get people on board.

Should they be elected on September 9, they say the plan would work hand-in-hand with a parking app as a part of the Smarter City Strategy which will allow drivers to see what parks are available where.

There are reportedly around 11,300 car spaces in the city, and council estimates around 2,500 are vacant between midday and 2pm - council says it's because they're long term car parks.

Labor Councillor Declan Clausen says the aim is to address the imbalance between long and short term parking throughout the city and prioritise short term parking.

"If you're popping into the city just to go shopping or something like that you need to know the car parks aren't all taken up by people there for long stays or all day workers in the city and conversely it's about making sure that long term parking is also accessible and convenient and making sure there are options for people to get into and out of the city."

But Independent Mayoral candidate Kath Elliot is slamming the proposal and says the council has had a number of years to come up with a viable solution and it's laughable this is all they've come up with.

"I think we should have wifi in the city for businesses, for people, not so that we can find out when someone has overstayed their parking spot and fining them. This is a revenue raising exercise, it's not well thought out and there's no wfi to deliver it."

The Newcastle Independents believe the plan will be detrimental to the city, rather than beneficial.

"Mrs Nelmes has been in council for eight years, I find it very surprising that in the week before the election all of a sudden she has solutions to parking problems." 

John Hunter Hospital car parking fees to be slashed

BY JARROD MELMETH

A landmark decision by the NSW State Government will see a reduction in car parking fees for regular patients and carers at NSW hospitals including the John Hunter Hospital.

Currently, patients and carers at the John Hunter Hospital face fees of up to $3640 annually under the parking fee structure.

The announcement from the State Government was prompted by a petition of over 70,000 signatures and means car parking concessions will become available to more patients and carers, and those who must regularly visit the hospital will now only pay up to $1102.40 per year.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said while this is a great win for the community, she would prefer all assets of public health be run by public health.

"This is what happens when you outsource provisions, the outsource group are there to make a profit, and they certainly do make a profit at the John Hunter Hospital.

“This announcement by the Government will mean a huge saving for some people who have really struggled to pay the excessive fees the John Hunter were charging," Ms Hornery said.

Ms Hornery also alluded to the removal of the free park and ride bus service from former Hunter Stadium to John Hunter Hospital in response to easing car parking woes.

"People had no choice but to pay for parking at the campus and, in some cases, were forced to walk fairly significant distances in order to get to the hospital itself when they couldn't afford to pay the fees.

"It was well used, it was popular, it was safe, it meant people did not have to walk long distances just to get a car park. I would love to see that service reintroduced," Ms Hornery said.

The changes to car parking fees will come into effect as of July 1.

Image source: ABC news.