Waikato Hospital park and ride concept shifts gears

Saturday, 20 June 2026

Public demands for a park and ride option to ease car parking grid-lock at Waikato Hospital are gathering speed.

While trying hard not to over-promise, Hamilton City Council’s City Delivery Committee has directed staff to investigate the inclusion of a park and ride facility for hospital staff in a new, ‘multi-modal hospital transport plan’ being worked on for consideration in the upcoming long-Term Plan.

Potential sites for a “depot-like’’ hub, potential routes and potential costs will be up for discussion as the report, including the park and ride option, is ”work-shopped’’ in time for LTP deliberations in August.

The idea has been championed by senior councillor Angela O’Leary who responded to a Letter to the Editor in The Waikato Times, she then posted the concept of a Park and Ride on Facebook.

The idea received further publicity with articles in The Waikato Times, which O’Leary said further increased public interest, including among hospital staff.

“Particularly from women walking late at night,’’ she says.

She then asked HCC’s City Delivery Committee Chair Sarah Thomson to include a high-level overview of the concept in her report to the committee.

Everyone is “very mindful’’ of the costs that might be involved and acknowledge the council will not be able to fund it alone.

“The Ministry of Health will need to be involved,’’ O’Leary told the Waikato Times.

Thomson knows there is a problem to be solved but cautions people from getting hopes too high, just yet.

“There is no funding, there's no current real plan, but it's something we're looking into, because we know there's a real problem there that needs a solution, so we're investigating,’’ she says.

“We are all aware of the stress and difficulty that many people face trying to park at the Hospital to attend appointments or visit friends and family.

“Horne St, right by the hospital, is the most ticketed street in the city as people regularly exceed parking limits because they can’t find anywhere else to park.

“The idea of a Park and Ride service to the hospital has been floated for consideration in the Long-Term Plan, and this could give another access option to people who can’t easily access the Comet or Orbiter bus routes.

“With rates capping on the horizon, service level improvements are going to be challenging, so I caution us against raising expectations at this stage.

“However, I do agree it’s an idea worth investigating and it would be hugely beneficial if it could be funded.’’

Building a new multi-storey parking building at the hospital would be “incredibly expensive’’ and space at the hospital campus is at a premium.

“Park and Ride would be more cost effective in comparison and could also provide a good test case for other Park and Ride services in the future.’’