Silverdale park and ride bursting at the seams

Hibiscus Coast commuters are taking desperate measures to secure a park at their busway station while work is underway to expand it.

Some drivers are leaving their vehicles on the grass and a nearby roundabout in an effort to secure a spot at the park and ride facility. They are risking fines in doing so.

The area surrounding a Silverdale transport hub is overflowing despite ongoing expansion efforts. Photo: Carla Ross

Auckland Transport has begun work on expanding the transport hub to increase the amount of parking spaces available. The new car park will include 484 parking spaces and will be completed next May.

But Auckland Council representative for the Albany ward John Watson said once the expansion was finished the extra car parks would fill up quickly, if they were not filled from the very start.

Auckland University student ChevelleTuffley did not think the expansion would help due to the growing population in the Hibiscus Coast.

“It's going to leave lots of people in the same position they are in today.”

She said it was already difficult to find a space, even before 7am.

While the work is being completed 200 car parks will be available within the park and ride itself and a free car park further down the road.

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Julia Parfitt said parking was always going to be an issue and perhaps in the future Auckland Transport would have to look at building up rather than across.

She said if building up became a viable option it would have to include a pay for park system.

An Auckland Transport press release suggested commuters use connecting bus services rather than driving to the park and ride.

Mr Watson said although this was an option, it could add up to an extra half hour to the journey time.

Commuter Linda Hopper said parking at the bus station had been frustrating, and connecting buses didn’t run regularly enough.

“People want to use the buses but they aren’t making it easy for us to do that.”

Once the new station has been completed it will also include ticketing and top-up machines, toilets, bicycle parking and sheltered waiting areas.

The new proposed look for the Hibiscus Coast busway station as of May 2018. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Transport