Silverdale park and ride users disgruntled as the parking madness snowballs

Friday, 27 July 2018

Levi, Kathryn and Nadia share their frustration about the lack of parking at Silverdale's Park and Ride.

'Illegal' parking and receiving disgruntled notes on your car windscreen from frustrated drivers is seen as 'normal' at the Silverdale Park and Ride in north Auckland.

Hundreds of people in Rodney rise early to drive to the park and ride in the hopes of receiving a car park.

The lack of parking has become a major issue for residents who say the 518 parks are not enough for the number of users and the increasing population growth.

The Silverdale Park and Ride car park at 6:30am.

The park and ride is almost full by 8am.

*Almost 2000 new park-and ride spaces not nearly enough, AA says

*Better bus planning, not charges, needed for parking chaos in Albany, residents say**

Raewyn McErleean is concerned that the Silverdale Park and Ride car park will not be able to keep up with developing residential areas.

Mondays to Thursdays are described as 'chaotic' when trying to find a park.

By 7:30am the parks are at 85 per cent capacity and, by 8.30am, it is sometimes 'impossible' to get a park as it is at 100 per cent capacity.

People have to resort to parking on the grass and footpath across from the park and ride.

Resident Levi Kemara received a disgruntled note on his car windscreen last week saying because of his 'illegal' parking, the person had to do a 10-point turn to get out of their park.

'Everyone is doing it (Illegally parking) because there is not enough parking, it is becoming unbearable.

Levi Kemara had a note put on his window from an angry Silverdale Park and Ride user.

'I think if the Government wants to encourage more public transport use then they should encourage their own departments to sort out adequate parking and transport systems,' he said.

Nadia Trigouzova agreed and said they need to create multi-leveled parking buildings.

Silverdale Park and Ride is at full capacity.

Kathryn Manihera said she gets to the car park earlier than she needs to get a park.

Auckland Transport artist's impression of the busway station.

Nadia Trigouzova says the recently opened car parks at the park and ride are 'not enough.'

Kathryn Manihera goes to the station early especially to get a car park.

'I am here before 7.30am every time - there doesn't seem to be a lot of forward thinking when it comes to building parks and how many, it's a tease really, and the area is only growing.'

Auckland Transport spokesman James Ireland said AT will begin construction to add another 90 parks in October and that it will be completed within nine months.

He also added AT will increase the number of local buses travelling to Silverdale.

From September 30 during the morning and evening peaks, buses between Gulf Harbour and the station will run approximately every six to 10 minutes, and buses between Waiwera and the station will run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes.

The Northern Express from the station to the city centre will also be doubling its frequency during peak times to every five to eight minutes.

Resident Donanne Thacker said 90 parks is simply not good enough.

'Why spend so much on so little?'

Despite the 'illegal' parking, people parking on the footpaths, and the car park overflow, AT only monitors parking when alerted to an issue or potential issue.

For more information visit AT.govt.nz/metrochanges