NO ROOM FOR CARS AT NEW TRAIN STATION

By Emma Devlin - Bond University journalism student

A lack of car parking spaces at the new Varsity Lakes train station has caused frustration for commuters.

Station officer Rob Laing-Smith said about 2000 people used the station daily but there were only 200 parking spaces.  He said the car park was full every day.

“Customers think that parking’s a bit lacking because, compared to the other stations on the Gold Coast, there isn’t a whole lot of spaces,” he said.

Robina stationmaster Dave Tranter said the Varsity Lakes station was built to accommodate the many families who have moved to the area.

He said the car park was too small for the number of people using the station.
“They have built this car park smaller than they should have ... they’re definitely going to have to look at that,” he said.

Mr Tranter said some Varsity Lakes residents chose to travel from Robina station because it had more parking spaces.

“Robina has 1200 spaces and it’s got undercover parking and 24-hour security,” he said.

“Anyone travelling long distances will go from Robina.

“You wouldn’t leave your car at Varsity Lakes for a long time.”

Varsity Lakes resident Mindy Fyfe said she took the train to Brisbane three times a week.

She said it was difficult to find a park at the Varsity Lakes station.

“I live closer to the new [Varsity Lakes] station than Robina, but sometimes I would rather go to Robina because I know I will get a park there,” she said.

Mr Laing-Smith said Queensland Rail would have to increase parking spaces as development continued in Varsity Lakes.