Preston station car park space issues

[Hellfire]

While driving into Preston station car park this morning I was asked by a VT employee whether I was travelling on VT and whether I was coming back the same day.

He told me they are having issues with the car park filling up quite regularly. I'm not sure what they can do about it unless it's possible to stick another floor on top. I have to say I've never had a problem parking there, although today I did have to go to the highest floor.

 

[Welshman]

Was the big open car-park on the site of the old East Lancs platforms also full?

 

[miami]

I'd assume the answer would be to increase the price, some people will find it cheaper to cab to/from the station rather than driving, or spend longer walking from a different carpark.

Wilmslow is really cheap for parking (£5 for the day at the back, £8 up front), but it usually full by 8AM, and they've "recently" closed off on-street parking on thorngrove road.

Given for me the alternative is £25 in a taxi I'd rather they charged £10 in the back, and people nearer to Wilmslow would think "I'll just get a cab for £5 each way"

 

[Hellfire]

I'd assume the answer would be to increase the price, some people will find it cheaper to cab to/from the station rather than driving, or spend longer walking from a different carpark.

Wilmslow is really cheap for parking (£5 for the day at the back, £8 up front), but it usually full by 8AM, and they've "recently" closed off on-street parking on thorngrove road.

Given for me the alternative is £25 in a taxi I'd rather they charged £10 in the back, and people nearer to Wilmslow would think "I'll just get a cab for £5 each way"

I think it is already expensive enough at £10 a day. Some people travel a fair distance to the station. It is the main railhead for a large chunk of Lancashire.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Was the big open car-park on the site of the old East Lancs platforms also full?

Don't know. I didn't use t.

 

[miami]

I think it is already expensive enough at £10 a day. Some people travel a fair distance to the station. It is the main railhead for a large chunk of Lancashire.

But if there aren't enough spaces the short term choices are
1) Prioritise people based on time they arrive -- the earlier you are the more likely you are to get a space
2) Prioritise people based on price they pay -- the earlier you are the more likely you are to get a space
3) Prioritise people based on time they book -- the earlier you book the more likely you are to get a space

1 is good, encourages people to get the train into places, but it's hit and miss unless you get the 06xx train
2 is good, means that people can guarantee a space. It encourages people who live a couple of miles away to walk or ride a bike or get a cab, and those that live 15 miles away can guarentee a place
3 is good, but it discourages those on £300 return walk up fares as they won't be able to get the car there

Trouble with 1 is, why not offer the parking for free, or free with a ticket?

If you increase the cost, it won't make much difference to people travelling a long distance, but will deter people travelling a short distance -- they may choose to park at a different station, or to simply drive to their destination