A Shorten Labor Government will establish a $300 million National Park and Ride Fund for new or expanded car parks at public transport hubs, such as train stations.

Labor backs public transport – it’s good for commuters and it eases congestion on our roads. But too many residents in our cities and major regional areas are frustrated at the lack of available parking at train and bus stations as they travel into the city for work.     
 
At town hall meetings across the country, locals have told Labor MPs, Senators and candidates that they are fed up with the car park at their station being completely full early in the morning. It means people are forced to park far away from their train or bus station, or they have to drive into the city instead.
 
This problem is happening because governments aren’t investing in infrastructure to keep up with rapid population growth in outer suburbs and regional areas – like Western Sydney or the Central Coast – and it’s impacting on families’ quality of life.
 
Labor’s Park and Ride Fund will deliver grant funding to local communities – via state and local governments – to construct new car parks and expanded existing ones in high-growth areas with demonstrated commuter need. A Federal Labor government will partner with local communities to fund the projects on a co-investment basis.
 
As part of the application process, local and state governments will be asked to demonstrate that a car park is the best solution and most cost-effective way to use available land.
 
Labor can afford to deliver important infrastructure projects that local communities are asking for because unlike Turnbull, we are not blowing $17 billion on a tax giveaway to Australia’s biggest banks.
 
Australians want better schools, better hospitals, and better access to public transport. That’s what Labor will deliver.
 
While Turnbull’s out-of-touch Liberals are only for the top end of town, a Shorten Labor Government will deliver a fair go for all Australians.
 
SUNDAY, 1 JULY 2018