Darwin opens a new state of the art park n’ ride this week, linking rural outskirts with the NT capital
January 10, 2012
The Northern Territory’s latest piece of bus infrastructure opened on Monday with the $900,000 Humpty Doo park ‘n ride.
The park ‘n ride bus interchange offers 12 bus travel options each weekday, as well as six on Saturday, opened to a local media ‘scrum’ by acting Northern Territory Chief Minister Delia Lawrie.
Lawrie says the facility was a win for rural area residents who will pay $4 for a standard return trip to the Darwin and Palmerston CBD, enjoy free bus services to big events such as the Darwin Show.
The facility has space in a secured site for 46 cars.
“This new park and ride facility has the potential to take cars off the road and reduce motor vehicle emissions, offer a cost effective option for anyone wanting to save money on fuel and parking, and ultimately cut their cost of living,” Lawrie says.
Since the similarly designed Coolalinga Park and Ride opened last September, that facility has been increasingly popular with commuters.
“Feedback has been positive about Coolalinga Park and Ride, which has proved a handy transport gateway to the rural area,” says Lawrie.
The Humpty Doo Park and Ride includes a 15m x 30m shaded bus/drop off terminal with seating, CCTV surveillance, a self-cleaning toilet, water bubbler, irrigated landscaping, secure push bike enclosure, four motor cycle parking bays, two disabled parking bays and an undercover bicycle shed for 20 bikes.
A valuable boost to local employment was provided by the project with more than 20 people working at the site throughout the construction.
In-line with the Territory 2030 strategy, the Northern Territory Government aims to reduce the impact on the environment through reducing reliance on private motor vehicles.