It might not seem like an urban jungle, but the Top End is taking its commuting seriously
September 14, 2011
The final touches are being made on a new $1.8 million Coolalinga park ‘n’ ride in the Northern Territory with the first buses set to pull up at the facility by the end of September.
Local MP Rob Knight and NT Minister for Transport Gerry McCarthy, pictured, toured the new facility this week.
McCarthy says the environmentally-friendly facility is the first of its type in the Territory and will provide commuters with the option of leaving the car or bike behind and taking advantage of public transport into Palmerston and Darwin CBD from rural Coolalinga.
“This is a $1.8 million investment into reaching our Territory 2030 target to reduce the impact on the environment through reducing reliance on private motor vehicles,” McCarthy says.
“The new facility links up with a direct bus route from the rural area to Palmerston or the city.”
He says the facility provides a safe, convenient, secure and free place to leave the car or bike and ride the bus to work.
Knight says the park-and-ride facility encourages shifts from single occupancy vehicles to high occupancy vehicles.
“The Henderson Government is committed to taking more cars off the road to help reduce greenhouse omissions at the same time as reducing commute times for Territorians,” Knight says.
“The new facility has the capacity to accommodate 60 cars, 4 motorbikes and 20 push bikes – and can be expanded in the future.”
He says the $1.8 million investment aims to reduce the cost of living for Territorians by saving money on fuel and parking and providing more transport options.
“The project is being delivered by Darwin company Gratis Pty Ltd and has provided a valuable boost to local employment with more than 30 people working onsite throughout construction,” Knight says.
The park and ride facility includes:
• 12m x 13.5m shaded bus/drop off terminal
• CCTV surveillance
• a self-cleaning toilet
• water bubbler
• irrigated landscaping
• secure push bike enclosure
• 60 car park bays
• four motor cycle parking bays
McCarthy says work is also underway to construct a similar facility at Humpty Doo with the aim of opening by the end of the year.
“The Henderson Government is committed to implementing policies aimed at protecting the environment and the great Territory lifestyle,”
he says.
Bus Services from the Coolalinga Park-and-Ride facility start on September 26, operating to and from Palmerston interchange with connecting buses allowing passengers to travel to Darwin and Casuarina.