At level crossing removal projects around Melbourne, ‘customer parking’ signs abound. But who are these ‘customers’ and why do they need parking?
I spotted these ‘Alternative Customer Parking’ notices next to Blackburn station, informing rail commuters that that usual car parking spaces have been taken over by level crossing works.
The sign directed commuters to an alternate parking location, linked to the railway station by shuttle bus.
Meanwhile I found this ‘Customer Parking Only’ sign opposite Ginifer station.
Located outside the Willaton Street shopping strip, the sign appeared to have the opposite intention to the sign at Blackburn – telling rail commuters that they are not welcome to park there.
Rail authorities have kicked an own goal here – in their pursuit of reframing passengers as ‘customers’ they have now completely muddled the waters, turning car parking around railway stations into a free for all.
November 2017 update
Via the LXRA Twitter feed – “alternative car parking available for rail passengers“.
During #CampRd #levelcrossing works and the closure of the #Upfield line the #BellSt car park at #CoburgStation is closed but we have free alternative car parking available for rail passengers at #MorelandStation Care Park til 18 Dec. See map: pic.twitter.com/hyroUU7PH4
— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) November 23, 2017
Damn corporate speak.
“Rail passengers only” would be far less ambiguous.
Older signs state “only for commuters directly interchanging to rail or other public transport system” –
Only problem there is that ‘commuter’ implies someone travelling for work on a regular basis, and excludes people who use public transport on an irregular basis, or on leisure journeys!