Train based Park & Ride

Park and Ride (P+R) can be defined as those parking facilities located nearby a public transport terminal specifically dedicated to the public transport users (Mingardo, 2008). P+R facilities are meant to improve the accessibility of urban areas and therefore can be considered as positive effects for the society. However, several academic literature indicate that P+R facilities have negative side effects. This research aims to answer the following question: “what are the effects of train based Park and Ride for the different stakeholders?”. To answer this question fifteen P+R locations on the Rotterdam-Utrecht route were selected. On these P+R facilities, users are counted whereby a distinction is made between train users and non train users. The non train users can be seen as improper users for the NS, because they only park their car without using the train services. Beside the (non-)train users a distinction is made between paid and free parking facilities and the importance of the station for the NS with regard to the frequency of trains per hour. The P+R facilities have several and in general positive effects for the NS. Users are attracted from other transport modes or are prepared to combine their trip with the train for the second part. However, P+R facilities can also attract improper users. If a station attracts a lot of improper users, the NS is basically investing in a parking that is not beneficial for them because there is no revenue (unless the P+R is paid parking). An important issue in order to improve the use of P+R facilities might be neat, clean and safe facilities. These factors are considered as important among the surveyed P+R users. The more a P+R facility fits with a users quality requirements, the better it will stimulate the use of these facilities. Another observation that is made in the surveyed P+R facilities is that people demand for more place. For local public transport companies the P+R has a negative or no effect. If public transport companies lose customers to the NS, this will lead to a loss in their revenue and probably will influence their business (investments etcetera). This might effect accessibility in the future if it leads to a lack in investment. The local government is not always positively effected by P+R facilities, the abstraction from public transport and bike is not the effect that is desired and can lead to unwanted situations. Abstraction from public transport and bike towards car means more pollution, demand for parking space, possibly congestion and so on. Even in the situation of a price introduction it is seen that a lot of users park their car in the neighbourhood, which is an unwanted effect.