170 car parks now available at Well Station Drive as Park and Ride opens

Well Station Park and Ride has officially opened with 170 parking spots. Photo: Transport Canberra.

The “Park and Ride” project at Well Station Drive in Mitchell is open, and Gungahlinites now have 170 new car spaces right next to the Light Rail station.

Originally expected in September, the project will be welcome news as city traffic has begun its return in recent times and will likely worsen as Light Rail 2A construction commences in 2022.

Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel, said the project was a part of the ACT Transport Recovery Plan.

“Canberrans on the northside will now have access to a new 170-space Park and Ride facility on Well Station Drive, providing a great option for people who want to save on parking while making their daily commute easier and more sustainable,” said Minister Steel.

“This project is part of the ACT Government’s program of investment in local infrastructure to support jobs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and improve transport connectivity across Canberra,” he said.

The Well Station Drive Park and Ride is one of 24 Park and Ride facilities in the ACT, as Transport Canberra prepares to return to pre-pandemic levels of public transport usage, as more and more people return to work and normal life.

President of Gungahlin Community Council Peter Elford said he expects it will be a successful investment, particularly once the new Kenny high school is constructed. However, he did harbour some concerns about its utilisation in the short term.

“If people are able to get onto the Light Rail vehicles at Well Station, and if there are enough free seats going into the city in the morning, then I think it’ll get used. But, if people try it out and go to get on the Light Rail and find it to be really crowded then it might be a bit problematic.”

“Really, until we get up and running, we’re just not going to know.

“We’re not sure how that’s going to work, but overall, Park and Ride has been a generally popular service and as car parks get converted into buildings in the town centre, we still need to make provisions for those Park and Ride’s to make the most out of the investment and the Light Rail,” he said.