September 27, 2018
This article first appeared in the Herald Sun on the 26th September 2018. Click here to view the original version.
DESPERATE drivers are struggling to find parking in the inner city.
And new data reveals the areas providing motorists with the biggest headaches.
Figures collected by mobile parking app UbiPark show parking around the Tan running track is among the most keenly sought after.
Other such areas are Orrs Walk at South Wharf, Brunton Avenue, and Chapel Street.
The app links to parking bay sensors and council databases to provide motorists with real-time information on parking availability and prices.
The lion’s share of car park searches is in the CBD. But booming inner suburbs such as South Yarra and Richmond have also become pressure points in our congestion crisis.
UbiPark CEO Mosstyn Howell said traffic snarls were worsened by motorists seeking parks at the last minute.
“Parking causes about 30 per cent of urban traffic congestion in our cities.
“One of the challenges … is that there’s no parking on the blocks where they are headed to in the CBD. People … are stuck circling around looking for a parking location, which only adds to the problem,” Mr Howell said.
In the CBD, parking is most contested around 352 Bourke St and Melbourne Central.
Mr Howell said parking pressures would only worsen.
“The City of Melbourne reduced their parking bays by about 400 last financial year and that will continue as footpaths in the CBD reach their capacity,” he said.
“The other issue is that car-sharing services are taking up some of the best locations.
“That’s creating a bit more congestion because the average motorist is looking for a park on the street.”
Earlier this year Infrastructure Victoria recommended extending the congestion levy on car parks to include Richmond, South Yarra, Windsor and Prahran.
Mr Howell said the best way to save money on parking costs was to plan ahead.
“Much like the airlines, the earlier you book the better the price you will get,” he said.
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