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.