One of the best things to happen in Wollongong for decades was the introduction of the free Shuttle bus. Every month the passenger numbers grow and now the combination of parking meters and the Shuttle provide a service that compliments each other.
The Shuttle links important city points such as the Mall, the railway station, the hospital and the university. The concept of free travel seems Utopian. Perhaps this is the way of the future and the day will come when the railways also offer free travel.
The installation of parking meters has surely caused many car drivers to rethink their travel plans. It makes sense to park the car on the free bus perimeter and hop on and ride rather than fork out money - and then have to keep track of time to avoid an overstaying fine.
There is one small fly in the ointment. Residents have noticed a huge increase in parked cars in suburban streets along the Shuttle bus route.
Parking meters have discouraged those who work in the CBD from trying to park in the city and walk to work. It makes more sense to park where there are no restrictions and hop on the Shuttle to and from their workplace.
Sooner or later street parking capacity is going to influence council to install timed parking in these streets along the Shuttle route - as now exists in suburban shopping centres.
This could seriously cripple or kill the whole idea of the Shuttle. Council should be looking to create new parking stations along the Shuttle route to avoid resident anger at being " parked out " in their suburban homes.
It would be a tragedy if the Shuttle created the anger and confusion that presently is inflicted on residents who live in streets surrounding our University.
Action now would be " a stitch in time " !
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