Scores of train users fined for illegal parking at overcrowded stations

NEARLY 200 commuters a week are slapped with parking fines at our overflowing railway station carparks. See if your station is among Melbourne’s worst 10.

THOUSANDS of commuters are being caught parking illegally in Melbourne’s crowded train station carparks.

Almost 10,000 parking fines were issued across train stations statewide last year – amounting to more than $419,000 – up from 8766 in 2016, the latest figures reveal.

The most common offences were halting in no-stopping zones and not parking within bays.

And the total figure of 9898 did not include fines slapped on cars parked illegally in streets around stations.

Insufficient station parking topped the list of commuter gripes in the Leader Community News and RACV On Track Survey, released late last year.

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RACV and the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said more frequent and reliable buses, plus secure bicycle parking, were needed to get people out of their cars.

PTUA president Tony Morton said increasing station carparks wasn’t the solution.

“When you look at the costs of adding parking spaces compared with the number added you’re looking at $15,000-$50,000 per car space, which, for one additional train passenger, is a huge outlay,” he said.

“Public transport isn’t something you should have to get into your car and drive to get to.”

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Box Hill commuters were stung the hardest with 979 fines issued – almost a tenth of the total number of infringements handed out statewide – at the station.

RACV spokesman Dave Jones said planners needed to rethink how parking at that busy transport hub was managed.

A warning sign at Box Hill station’s commuter carpark.

Mr Jones said the RACV wanted tougher carpark controls – like empowering authorised officers to verify drivers were train users to ensure they were entitled to use commuter parking spaces — at Box Hill.

“Another commuter car park, if feasible, is not likely to end the competition between visitors and travellers,” Mr Jones said.

Watsonia (771 fines), Berwick (695), Albion (632) and Sunshine (538) rounded out the top five for fines issued.

“Watsonia has a vast catchment area and very poor bus services, which is reflected in the stress on the car park,” Dr Morton said.

Parking is a tight squeeze at Werribee station.

A Transport Victoria spokesman said an extra 2000 parking spaces were being built across the network, on top of 2100 already added as part of the Station Car Park Upgrade program.

While the amount raised through fines last year, $419,039, was less than the $465,042 reaped during the previous year, this may be due to higher range offences in 2016 and more 2017 fines with payment outstanding.

Last year parking offence penalties ranged from $32 to $159, depending on the nature of the infringement.

THE TOP 10 STATIONS FOR PARKING FINES 2017

1. Box Hill — 979 fines

2. Watsonia — 771

3. Berwick — 695

4. Albion — 632

5. Sunshine — 538

6. Werribee — 534

7. Coolaroo — 469

8. Preston — 248

9. Heidelberg — 235

10. Essendon — 240

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