News release

From: Study author Evelyn Wen

"Many people are willing to walk up to 800 metres to access public transport, but beyond that distance they are more likely to drive.

"Using Wellington as a case study, this research explores how changes to parking policy at train stations could shift commuter behaviour. The proposed approach introduces paid parking for regular users and free parking for carpoolers.

"The results suggest this could increase daily train ridership by around 1,500 and generate approximately $6 million in annual revenue from fares and parking. This additional revenue could be reinvested to improve service frequency, particularly during peak hours.

"The study demonstrates that relatively small policy changes can improve both access to public transport and operational efficiency, without requiring additional public funding."