PA R K ‘ N ’ R I D E S T R AT EGY
The role of park ‘n’ ride
Park ‘n’ ride facilities play an important role in
South East Queensland’s (SEQ) public transport
system. They connect a diverse range of customers
to public transport, can help reduce traffic
congestion and improve access for those with
mobility difficulties.
Park ‘n’ ride is one element of a complex transport
system designed to facilitate access to major
stations. This system also includes local buses,
taxis, rideshare, walking and cycling.
Emerging transport options, such as Personal
Mobility Devices and ‘Mobility as a Service’
SEQ has providers may over time influence the role park ‘n’
ride plays in enabling people to access transport
158 park ‘n’ ride networks.
facilities
The Park ‘n’ Ride Strategy provides direction to
More than the ongoing development of SEQ’s park ‘n’ ride
31,500 spaces network as part of the regional transport system
and our transport future.
4400
additional spaces since 2015
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Challenges
Effective park ‘n’ ride planning and investment must address a range of complex challenges.
Matching Avoiding Customer
Costs to build demand and Diverse users
transport and expectations for
and maintain supply and future needs
land-use impacts information
Park ‘n’ ride facilities are In many locations demand for Everyone in our community If inappropriately located Customers have a growing
expensive to construct and park ‘n’ ride exceeds current should have the opportunity to or designed, park ‘n’ ride expectation that they will be
maintain. Costs for surface car supply and as the region use public transport. The park ‘n’ facilities can have unintended able to access reliable, tailored
parks can range from $10,000 to continues to grow, demand will ride network needs to cater for negative impacts on the information on their travel
more than $30,000 per space. further increase. However, an increasing mobility transport network, local options and probability of
Multi-storey or underground approximately one third of park challenged population. character or future development securing a park ‘n’ ride car
facilities can cost significantly ‘n’ ride facilities have spare As personal travel patterns, potential of an area. space at a preferred facility.
more. Land acquisition and capacity. Demand is often behaviours and expectations
ongoing maintenance costs, for difficult to predict and is change, the park ‘n’ ride network
example, landscaping, lighting influenced by factors such as will need to evolve to continue to
and CCTV surveillance can also ease of access, the type and meet future customer needs.
be substantial. frequency of services or This may include providing for
proximity to schools and shops new transport technologies and
to support multi-purpose trips. customer services.
PA R K ‘ N ’ R I D E S T R AT EGY
Planning principles
Five key planning principles underpin decision-making on park ‘n’ ride development.
1 2 3 4 5
Park ‘n’ ride should Park ‘n’ ride should be Park ‘n’ ride should Park ‘n’ ride should be Park ‘n’ ride should help
increase public transport affordable to build, support strategic integrated into the reduce traffic congestion
patronage maintain and operate transport and land-use surrounding environment Location and design of facilities
Investment should expand Park ‘n’ ride facilities must be planning outcomes Facilities should be planned and should relieve pressure on
the public transport network designed and located to Facilities must be considered as designed, in consultation with nearby arterial roads and
to new users, not just maximise value-for-money, part of broader transport and local councils, to minimise minimise local traffic impacts.
accommodate existing users who minimise ongoing operational land-use planning goals for the impacts on adjacent land uses
are currently walking, cycling or costs and make the most of the region. Park ‘n’ rides should and support desired economic,
catching local buses to access available budget. reinforce strategic networks environmental and social
trunk services. identified in the SEQ Regional outcomes. Universal Design
Transport Plan and land-use principles should be applied
outcomes identified in Shaping to maximise accessibility.
SEQ: South East Queensland
Regional Plan 2017.
PA R K ‘ N ’ R I D E S T R AT EGY
1 Strategy – enhance customer experience
A comfortable and convenient customer experience is central to the
ongoing success of the park ‘n’ ride network. From basic customer needs
of safety and security, to meeting expectations for real-time information
and accommodating future travel options, the Department of Transport
and Main Roads (TMR) is working to enhance customer experience.
Safe, secure and inclusive environment
Park ’n’ ride design will continue to be reviewed and refined to provide
facilities and access pathways that are comfortable and convenient for
all transport users. Careful attention will be provided to the provision of
lighting, landscaping, CCTV, and passive surveillance opportunities to
maintain safe and secure environments
Though the application of Universal Design principles TMR will continue
to ensure that parking spaces are conveniently located and appropriately
designed to facilitate access for people disabilities and those with other
specific needs.
Advanced traveller information systems
TMR will seek to provide customers with relevant and reliable information
about travel options, preferred park ‘n’ ride options and parking
availability. The introduction of Smart Ticketing will make the public
transport system easier to use and more convenient. It will also provide
TMR with an ability to provide customers with tailored information that
relates to their local services and typical trips. This will help customers
make informed travel decisions that save them time.
Future mobility options
The way people travel is evolving and changing. Customers now have
more options to access stations, and this will continue to increase. TMR
is examining how to accommodate and encourage new and emerging
options like personal mobility devices, car share and electric vehicle
charging at park ‘n’ ride facilities. In the future, some facilities may
become hubs to access a range of mobility services.
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2 Strategy – manage for greater customer benefits
By managing facilities more effectively, more customers Smart park ‘n’ ride Improvements to services
will be able to access park ‘n’ ride facilities and public
In addition to making the public transport system easier Network and service improvements can enhance
transport services. Demand at specific locations can be
to use, Smart Ticketing will provide TMR with enhanced the convenience of park ‘n’ ride sites. TMR will
influenced through measures such as reserving spaces
information on how the public transport system is being continue to investigate opportunities to enhance
for specific groups, timeframes or times of day to
used. This information, coupled with regular park ‘n’ ride services to encourage better use of public transport
optimise the use of these facilities. This will enable park
surveys, will provide TMR with a comprehensive and under-utilised park ‘n’ ride facilities and take
‘n’ ride facilities to cater for a broader range of customers
understanding of park ‘n‘ ride demand and customer pressure off locations that are over capacity.
and make the most of the infrastructure we already have.
behaviour to inform decisions on how best to manage
Parking allocation facilities to benefit customers. Active transport improvements
In addition to supporting ‘9 to 5’ commuters, the TMR will continue to explore opportunities to provide In many locations park ‘n’ ride facilities are being
park ‘n’ ride network also has a role to play for customers customers with information on park ‘n’ ride use and car accessed by commuters who live close to the station.
outside peak hours. At new or expanded park ‘n’ rides space availability. This may include providing information TMR will continue to work with councils to make it easier
TMR may investigate reserving spaces for shift workers on alternate park ‘n’ ride locations or other ways to and more convenient for people to walk or cycle to the
and short stay commuters. access the public transport network. facility. This will free up car parking spaces for commuters
without other options.
TMR will also consider opportunities to promote more
sustainable travel practices by allocating parking to
hybrid/electric vehicle types, car poolers or car share
schemes.
Managing access
In some locations, park ‘n’ ride facilities are treated
as ‘free parking’ to access nearby shopping centres,
education facilities or hospitals. TMR will examine
control measures, where required, to maximise spaces
for genuine commuters, reducing the need to expand
existing facilities, and using available funding more
efficiently.
PA R K ‘ N ’ R I D E S T R AT EGY
3 Strategy – expand parking space supply
The supply of park ‘n’ ride spaces can be increased by applied to cater for all customers, including those with for the local community, and additional commuter
developing new sites or expanding existing facilities. mobility difficulties, and the TransLink Access Hierarchy parking without increasing the overall parking footprint.
As demand for station access increases, TMR will (figure 1), will be considered in all aspects of planning
TMR will continue to pursue opportunities to partner with
prioritise solutions that best address demand and and development.
the private sector and other government agencies to
support the park ‘n’ ride planning principles. This
In some challenging locations, alternative designs may deliver integrated projects, achieve cost savings and
will include selecting the most effective locations,
be required to ensure facilities complement other land maximise public benefits.
fit-for-purpose and flexible design, and applying
uses and support sustainable transport outcomes. For
innovative delivery models to reduce costs.
example, multi-level structures can provide additional Figure 1 TransLink Access Hierarchy
Strategic investment in key catchments capacity where land is limited, or where a surface car TransLink’s Access Hierarchy provides the framework for
park would have a negative impact on nearby land-use, how access should be prioritised when planning or
TMR will continue to target investment in areas with high
social or environmental factors. TMR will continue to designing services or infrastructure.
existing and forecast demand. The benefits of expanding
work with councils to identify appropriate design
park ‘n’ ride facilities will be considered against other
solutions in these instances.
access options, such as new or enhanced bus services or
active transport connections to select the right mix. The Park ‘n’ ride design must also consider our changing Walk and Cycling
scale of each facility will be tailored to overall catchment world. The way customers access public transport
demand, and care will be taken to ensure infrastructure stations is likely to change in coming decades. Facilities
investment does not undermine alternative transport will be designed to be flexible and adaptable to
services and active transport. Where walking, cycling or accommodate future changes in mobility and travel
Bus feeder services
bus connections are not viable, investment in park ‘n’ behaviours, without requiring significant rebuilding.
ride will be prioritised.
Partnering opportunities Taxi
Design and land-use integration Innovative delivery partnerships can reduce construction
New facilities need to be designed and delivered costs and maximise use of park ‘n’ ride assets. For
efficiently and cost-effectively, while minimising impacts example, the Mains Road bus park ‘n’ ride at the
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre was upgraded in
Kiss ‘n’ ride
on surrounding land uses. Location and design will be
considered, in consultation with local councils, to partnership with the Queensland Government’s new
complement neighbourhood amenity, walkability, local State Netball Centre. During the week it is used by
network connections and the planned intent for the commuters, and at other times for events at the Netball Park ‘n’ ride
precinct. The principles of Universal Design will be Centre. This has delivered a more sustainable outcome
