Greenway commuters fed up with lack of parking at train stations

“Shocking” is just one angry commuter’s take on the lack of parking at Schofields train station which sees many commuters forced to park a kilometre away.

The packed carpark at Schofields train station. Pic: Joel Carrett

“Shocking” is just one angry commuter’s take on the lack of parking at Schofields train station which sees anyone arriving after 5.30am forced to park as far as a kilometre away.

And the parking situation at the carpark is only set to get worse when more units spring up, cancelling out all street parking.

But Schofields train customers are not the only ones complaining.

MP for Greenway Michelle Rowland at Schofields train station with cars parked on the roadside thanks to a full car park. Pic: Joel Carrett

Greenway federal Labor MP Michelle Rowland said almost half of the 94submissions to the recent state government carparking inquiry were from residents living in Riverstone, Glenwood, Quakers Hill, Schofields, The Ponds, Stanhope Gardens and Seven Hills.

“The inability to access parking causes daily frustration for local residents who commute using public transport,” Ms Rowland said. Concerns raised by Greenway residents in their submissions included parking spaces filled by 7am — forcing residents to walk long distances from cars to the station.

Safety fears were also raised as many drivers are forced to walk more than 10 minutes from the station without street lighting.

Lack of adequate disabled commuter parking spaces and bus services not aligning with train timetables also caused frustration.

Ms Rowland said the booming population also put pressure on the transport network.

“I urge the NSW Government to heed the clear concerns raised to this inquiry by Greenway residents and work on urgent solutions to the commuter car parking shortage,’’ she said.

The submissions will be aired at a public hearing in Parliament on October 16, when some residents who made submissions might be asked to give further evidence before the committee.

A report will then be handed to the government in 2018.