Call for more buses to connect Sydney Metro stations to solve parking crisis

As commuters battle the parking crisis across Metro stations, the demand for shuttle buses to serve major transport hubs is growing more intense.

More On Demand buses are wanted to alleviate the parking nightmare at metro stations.

As commuters battle parking nightmares across Metro stations, the demand for shuttle buses to serve major transport hubs is growing more intense.

Motorists are being forced to rise at the crack of dawn to secure parking spots before 7.30am at stations, including the five-level 600-spot Hills Showground while some others such as Cherrybrook are choked at 6.30am.

That has left some desperate drivers to resort to parking kilometres away, or illegally, so they can catch their city-bound trains on time, despite reaching the carparks before 7.30am.

One such driver, North Kellyville’s Alex Wang, parked illegally at Hills Showground, Castle Hill, this month.

Like many struggling to land a spot in one of the 4000 spaces at Metro stations, he thinks buses are the solution.

Most spots are full at the Hills Showground Metro station just after 7.30am.

The data analytics manager called for the government to roll out more On Demand services to shuttle residents from his suburb to Metro carparks.

“I have to wake up 30 minutes early because there’s definitely not enough space,’’ he said.

“It’s 7.20 in the morning and it’s almost full, especially when it’s not school holidays. There’s definitely not enough space.’’

Tiffany and Joel, both 24, regularly use the Hills Showground and Kellyville carparks.

Tiffany labelled the former station “terrible” but said Tallawong – the first stop on the train line – was the worst.

“You’ve got The Ponds, you’ve got Schofields, Rouse Hill, Box Hill, Annangrove, you’ve got so many suburbs that Tallawong serves that there’s just not enough spots for everyone,’’ she said.

Calls have also been made for more bus services to Cherrybrook train station and the future Carlingford stop along the Parramatta light rail.

Transport for NSW already operates Cooee On Demand shuttles from The Ponds, Schofields and Kellyville Ridge to Schofields train station, and Tallawong and Rouse Hill metro stations along with The Ponds and Stanhope Village shopping centres.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said more bus services were under review.

“Transport for NSW is currently reviewing public transport options in the northwest region, including On Demand services, to see how it can be optimised to meet the needs of residents in the area,’’ she said.

“We are closely monitoring patronage on all services connecting with Sydney Metro to identify if there are changes in demand and travel patterns.’’

She said $24.3m was allocated over four years in this year’s budget and, in August, more than 700 bus trips a week were added to connect passengers to the Metro for the opening of the line through the city.

Nicole Finlay of Glenhaven.

Joel and Tiffany at the Hills Showground Metro station carpark. They say Tallawong is worse.

But in the meantime, residents in suburbs such as Glenorie and Glenhaven are enduring a nightmare each morning, with the struggle escalating since the opening of the full Metro North line on August 19.

Personal assistant Nicole Finlay leaves her Glenhaven home early to reach the Hills Showground carpark to travel to Martin Place for work.

“Since the new Metro opened, it is so much busier earlier in the morning – you really have to be here by 7 o’clock to be guaranteed a spot,’’ she said.

“After that, it’s a little bit hit and miss but it’s certainly has gotten a lot, lot busier just in the last week.’’