New Melbourne Airport pick-up zone has 10 minutes of free parking

MELBOURNE Airport is adding a free passenger pick-up area with a longer time limit for drivers trying to duck congestion and parking fees — but there’s a catch.

MELBOURNE Airport is adding a free passenger pick-up area with a longer time limit for drivers trying to duck congestion and parking fees.

From 4am Tuesday morning, motorists can use the extra zone, near the notoriously busy one-minute pick-up lanes in front of the Parkroyal Hotel, for up to 10 minutes without charge. Those who don’t leave in time will face parking charges.

For the first time, the one-minute zone will dedicate bays to UberX ride-sharing service drivers.

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The new area is at the northern end of the carpark, opposite the Qantas terminal. Picture: Mark Stewart

Drivers who don’t leave within 10 minutes will be charged. Picture: Mark Stewart

Off-airport parking shuttle and hotel bus bays have been moved closer to terminals 1, 2, and 3.

The airport earns $135.3 million a year from parking fees, according to the latest available data.

Its chief of parking and ground access, Lorie Argus, said the continued growth in passenger numbers had added to congestion in the main forecourt.

Each day, 30,000 vehicles pour into the forecourt, and 8000 a day use its free public pick-up area.

“The new zone has 200 bays and will help reduce pressure points at the existing free public pick-up lanes,” Ms Argus said.

“It will be less stressful for both drivers and travellers.”

The area operates on a timed ticket and boomgate system.

web Airport Map 650 500

MELBOURNE AIRPORT PASSENGER BOOM

Drivers who do not leave within 10 minutes will be charged parking rates including $12 for 30 minutes — $4 more than the stan­dard drive-up parking fees.

“This is higher than the short-term carparking rates as we want to ensure it is used for pick-ups rather than drivers trying to park for longer periods,” Ms Argus said.

The 10-minute pick-up zone is beside the main short-term carpark. Until construction began six months ago, it was a paid parking area.

Ms Argus said the 12 dedicated bays for UberX in the one-minute waiting area would not disadvantage other users, as commercial transport operators had been moved. “Having all types of vehicles jostling in the one-minute zone was clogging the space.”

Booked taxis picking up passengers were recently moved from the one-minute pick-up zone to another area near the short-term carpark.

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@KarenCollierHS