Sydney Metro parking problem: Commuter swaps four wheels for two for park
Commuters battling for a parking spot at Sydney Metro stations are going to extreme lengths to use the popular driverless service.
Hills Shire
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Commuters are considering any means possible to access the Sydney Metro northwest — including purchasing a motorcycle and getting their bike licence.
Cherrybrook resident Janz Reinecke, 55, made the decision to brave the learner test once again and buy a scooter to access the popular driverless service.
“I use the Sydney metro on a daily basis to get to Town Hall for work,” Ms Reinecke said.
“Parking as Cherrybrook has been a nightmare since the metro opened, so when the NSW Government decided to reduce bus services it became impossible.”
Ms Reinecke said she was battling to secure a parking spot after 6.45am on a daily basis — or arriving to work at the “crack of dawn” as a result.
“I decided to start looking for another option,” she said.
“I looked on gumtree and found a scooter that looked safe and went to apply for my Ls.
“I have been riding for three weeks now and it means I can access the metro at any time of the day.”
The L-Plater said she has not had an issue parking at the metro since exchanging her four wheels for two.
“I almost burst into tears on my first ride to the station — I had to get a cup of coffee and have a few deep breaths before getting on the train,” she said.
“At 55 years old, I was terrified to go get my Ls and learn to ride for the first time.
“My family and friends thought it was a joke at first, but it was the only way I can access the station.”
The desperate commuter called for the NSW Government to consider expanding parking facilities at stations across The Hills, “if it won’t give us back our buses”.
Despite a $110 million yearly fund to increase opportunities for parking spaces at public transport hubs a Sydney Metro spokeswoman said there were no plans to expand parking at Sydney Metro northwest stations.
As part of the 2019/20 NSW Budget, the government established a $500 million Commuter Car Park Fund within the Urban Congestion Fund to invest in commuter car park upgrades that encourage greater use of public transport, however, no funding went towards increasing parking throughout the Sydney Metro northwest.
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