Midland MLA Michelle Roberts in the packed car park at Midland train station.
Camera IconMidland MLA Michelle Roberts in the packed car park at Midland train station. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt

Rail users count the cost

Sally McGlew, Midland ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

Midland MLA Michelle Roberts said the State budget revealed that by July 1 next year, there would be no more free parking at any of the train stations on the Midland line. She said the papers also revealed there would be a 20 per cent increase to public transport fares.

Together with paid parking, commuters would be faced with having to pay an extra $1000 a year.

‘These are people who can least afford it and who are already struggling with the cost of living,’ she said.

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‘This is an attack on Midland train users.’

Mrs Roberts said when the new 307-bed Midland Health Campus opens in late 2015, people will be slugged for visiting sick family members in hospital.

‘The Barnett Government also should have been honest with voters about their plans to increase fares and ignore the urgent need for a new Midland train station during the recent State election campaign,’ she said.

‘Free parking at train stations provides public transport users with financial incentive to keep their cars out of the city and ease congestion for other road users.

‘We will see more cars on the roads and the remaining train users will be forced to pay nearly $1000 more each year to park at stations and use public transport.

‘The decision will also push more public transport users to look for free parking on streets surrounding train stations.’