Commuters in Melbourne’s outer west have called for better bus connections as parking at the newly opened West Tarneit station rapidly fills on weekdays. The ABC reported on Wednesday that the station’s 400-space car park was already full just after 8am when its reporters visited during the school holidays.
The ABC spoke to one commuter who had arrived earlier than usual to secure a parking space. Another, Abdul Majid, said he wanted both more parking and better buses. He told the broadcaster he had to walk more than a kilometre to reach a bus stop and could then wait up to 30 minutes.
“It has to be more frequent,” Majid told the ABC, saying that would persuade him to switch from driving to taking the bus. Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen also told the broadcaster that improving bus services was a better option than simply adding parking spaces, arguing for more efficient ways to get people to stations.
West Tarneit opened on 13 September. Transport Victoria’s service information says the station is served by 689 trains each week on the Geelong Line. Its facilities include a bus interchange and an accessible pedestrian underpass, with both platforms reached by ramps and stairs.
The department says the new Route 186 connects Tarneit and West Tarneit stations via Dohertys Road. Route 182, between Tarneit Station and Werribee, also travels via the new station and runs more often. Both routes operate seven days a week, providing connections between surrounding neighbourhoods and rail services.
The published service information lists buses up to every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods, every 20 minutes across most of the day and every 40 minutes later at night. The department says the changes give passengers more options between Tarneit, West Tarneit and Werribee.
Victoria’s Big Build station fact sheet confirms the commuter car park has 400 spaces, including 10 accessible spaces. The precinct also has separated walking and cycling paths, bike hoops and secure bicycle storage, offering other ways for passengers to reach the platforms.
The fact sheet says a locked Parkiteer storage facility on the south side can hold up to 26 bicycles and sits between the bus interchange and pedestrian underpass. Pedestrians and cyclists can enter from Ceremony Drive on the north side, but the official guide says there is no northern vehicle access.
The official precinct design allows for a future car park and bus interchange north of the rail line, as well as future walking and cycling connections. That provision sits alongside the existing southern facilities, while commuters’ calls for easier access continue following the station’s opening.
