LABOR WILL FUND COMMUTER PARKING

State and Federal Labor will collectively invest $30 million towards the expansion of parking facilities at Schofields train station in North West Sydney to help commuters overcome worsening parking shortages.

 

The commitment is jointly funded with $15 million from Federal Labor’s National Park and Ride Fund and $15 million from a NSW Foley Labor Government. 

 

This critical local project is part of Labor’s $300 million National Park and Ride Fund for new or expanded car parks at public transport hubs, such as train stations.

 

Each weekday the existing 230-space car park at Schofields Station is full before 7am.

 

This means commuters rushing to catch their trains to work are forced to park in surrounding streets including Railway Terrace down to Burdekin Road and Pelican Road and walk for up to 20 minutes just to get to the station.

 

Across Australia, traffic congestion is eroding our quality of life and acting as a hand brake on productivity and economic growth.

 

More than 300,000 workers commute from Western Sydney to other parts of the city each day for work. Up to 90 per cent of them travel by car on increasingly congested roads.

 

Despite this, the Berejiklian Liberal Government has failed to deliver the infrastructure we need now and into the future.  

 

Federal Labor’s Park and Ride Fund will provide real and practical support for communities like Schofields by making rail travel more attractive and improving the quality of life of local residents.

 

By contrast, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has no strategy to address traffic congestion and is continuing to refuse to invest in important public transport projects like the Western Sydney Rail.

 

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Anthony Albanese said it would take a Labor Government to deal with traffic congestion in Australian cities after five years of Coalition cuts and neglect.

 

“We’ll not only invest in new public transport services, but also deliver practical measures to help commuters get to work with a minimum of fuss, including through our new Park and Ride Fund,’’ Mr Albanese said.

 

“Public transport isn’t just about the train line or bus route itself. It’s also about the surrounding infrastructure that makes it work for local residents.’’

 

He was joined in Schofields today by NSW Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park who said the $30 million commitment from State and Federal Labor was a game changer for Schofields.

 

“Labor will invest in making life easier for local communities.”

 

“Helping Western Sydney families access public transport is a top priority for Labor while the Liberals’ priority is an unfair toll on western Sydney.”

 

Labor Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said that every time she doorknocked residents in Schofields and The Ponds or held mobile offices at Schofields the number one issue raised was the lack of car parking at the train station.

 

“Labor has listened and will act,’’ Ms Rowland said. “It’s tough enough commuting to the city every weekday without being unable to find a car park.’’

 

“A Federal Labor Government will work with Blacktown Council and the State Government to assess the available options and deliver improved car parking as quickly as possible.’’

 

Labor candidate for Riverstone Annemarie Christie said projects that could make a real difference would be fast tracked under Labor.

 

“Easier access to jobs and a quicker trip home to your family makes improving parking at Schofields station a no-brainer,” Dr Christie said.