Council to raise Port Macquarie park and ride bus service initiative

Cr Peta Pinson raised the matter of a park and ride bus service at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's July meeting.

The council will write to Transport for NSW, with a copy to Busways Port Macquarie, for the purpose of opening discussions on a park and ride bus service through yet to be determined parts of Port Macquarie.

The council will also raise the matter during a meeting with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole on July 31.

Many residents, through the orbital road engagement process, commented on the need for better public transport in the hospital and education precinct, as well as the Port Macquarie CBD.

Cr Pinson said she wanted to see the park and ride bus service initiative through to completion.

"As we grow, we are trying to find ways to deal with our congestion and parking is difficult in our shopping precincts and CBD areas," she said.

A Port Macquarie CBD worker said the initiative was not a bad idea.

"I try to avoid the CBD on days when I don't work," she said.

The worker believes more regular timetabled bus services are needed after which they could see how a park and ride service would slot in.

Another CBD worker said she did not have a car and the bus timetables just didn't suit her.

Cr Pinson said a park and ride service would enable commuters to park for the desired time and catch a shuttle bus service to designated stops.

"The benefit to users of this service would be a reduction in the possibility of receiving parking fines and disruption of business operations caused by staff having to move their vehicles throughout the day," she said.

"The economic benefits to the wider CBD of Port Macquarie would be of a great measurable value to our region."

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