Parking charge plan denied

By Ed Merrison
THE State Government and rail operator Connex have moved to quash rumours of imminent parking charges at Ferntree Gully Station.
On Thursday, 10 November a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Peter Batchelor categorically denied plans to charge commuters for leaving their cars at rail stations.
“There is no proposal to introduce parking fees at stations,” spokeswoman Louise Perry said.
“Parking at train stations will remain free for genuine public transport users under the Bracks Government.”
The denial followed a statement issued by Liberal candidate for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling which claimed a $2 parking fee would soon be introduced.
“Commuters travelling to work, university and appointments will have to fork out an extra $2 a day just to park their car in any one of Ferntree Gully station’s 200 places,” Mr Wakeling said.
According to Mr Wakeling, the new parking charge was the result of what he said was a ‘secret agreement’ between Transport Minister Peter Batchelor and Connex to ‘slug commuters at railway station car parks’.
Mr Wakeling responded to the denial by saying the government had a poor record in keeping its transport promises in the region.
“Unfortunately, the Ferntree Gully community can’t trust this government to keep its promises on transport issues,” he said.
However, Connex corroborated Mr Batchelor’s declaration on the issue.
Connex communications manager Kate De Clerq denied the existence of any such proposal, branding rumours of a fee at Ferntree Gully as ‘completely unfounded’.
“There are absolutely no plans for it,” Ms De Clerq said.