Motorists stop on freeway to dodge Melbourne Airport parking costs

Changes at Melbourne airport to make it easier to pick up passengers have failed to stop drivers risking their lives and others’ safety in a bid to dodge parking fees.

Police are cracking down on drivers parked illegally on the Tullamarine Freeway. Picture: Mark Stewart

Changes at Melbourne airport to make it easier to pick up passengers have failed to stop drivers risking their lives and others’ safety in a bid to dodge parking fees.

The Herald Sun witnessed more than a dozen drivers parked illegally along the Tullamarine Freeway in the space of an hour.

The drivers were seen stopped between 50m to 200m from the main departures and arrivals freeway exit.

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Drivers are parking illegally along the Tullamarine Freeway. Picture: Jason Edwards

The reckless behaviour comes despite the airport adding a 10-minute pick-up zone earlier this year to ease ­congestion.

Fawkner police told the Herald Sun the illegal behaviour was “very dangerous” because it posed a severe safety risk to the drivers and others on the road.

“It’s a huge safety issue,” Acting Sergeant Jenni Blyth said.

“They don’t realise how dangerous it is.”

It is believed the drivers were waiting to pick up people from the airport and would park prematurely in the emergency stopping lane to avoid paying the hefty carpark costs.

The fine for parking in an emergency stopping lane is $97.

Drivers who stop in a no-stopping zone risk a $161 ­penalty.

There are more than 300 free car parks on site at Melbourne Airport. Picture: Mark Stewart

Sgt Blyth said police were cracking down on the issue, which had been going on for years.

“It’s all about them trying to save a dollar,” Sgt Blyth said.

“Instead of paying for parking, they will stop on the side of the highway.”

Melbourne airport stripped almost $400,000 a day from carpark users in 2016-17.

It grabbed $145.1 million in revenue and made almost 60c profit from each dollar drivers pumped in, before ­interest and tax. Carparking costs at Melbourne airport were cut up to 20 per cent from March this year while a 10-minute pick-up zone was introduced in April with ­charges applied for exceeding the time limit.

Melbourne airport spokesman Grant Smith said the airport had more than 300 free parking spaces on site.

“We are really disappointed people are making these poor decisions and putting their safety and the safety of others at risk,” Mr Smith said.

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