Rail users driven mad
GEELONG commuters are fed up with the lack of parking spaces at the train station and believe they are being filled by trades people working in the area.
Regular V/Line train travellers have taken to social media to voice their concerns over the issue and the consistent delays in the Geelong service.
Geelong West resident Lachlan Drummond said he travels from Geelong to Mel- bourne about four days a week and noticed that workers at a nearby building site were using the carpark.
“Just as the buildings got a bit higher I’ve noticed a parade of high vis vests and it doesn’t take an Einstein to know they’re not commuting with me,” Mr Drummond said.
“Typically you knew what time it filled up, but in recent times by 6.30am you’re fighting for over last 10 spots.”
He said the parking, along with delays of the V/line Geelong service — was a constant source of frustration.
“There should be more express trains that run a service just to Geelong,” he said.
V/Line spokeswoman Catalina Filip said the carparking at the station should only be for customers using the V/Line service.
“Car parking at Geelong station is intended to service customers catching V/Line services,” Ms Filip said.
“The new Geelong bus network has made accessing the station by public transport even easier, with more buses linking with trains services to and from Melbourne.”
She said there were “more than 400 parking spaces are provided for customers at Geelong station.”
Ms Filip said that V/Line monitored car park usage and continued to investigate options to prioritise access for commuters.
However, she said there were no laws or regulations currently applied to the Geelong station carpark that allowed V/Line to issue penalties for use by non-commuters.