Checked out the Station car park on the way to the GNER event. Now that charges have been introduced. 10:45 in the morning and the Northern Rail bit is almost empty – just 26 cars, whereas it used to be full every day by 08:30. Where have the rail passengers gone? Maybe to neighbouring residential streets, or the free car park in the Town Centre with the frustrating 15 minute steep hill climb up to the station before going to work. But let’s hope it’s not loss of rail business to Northern and the other operators. And with just 26 cars a day parking it is difficult to see how this initiative will be revenue positive for Northern Rail especially when the cost of collecting the money is considered. Checked out Cramlington on the way home. Only 14 cars parked in what used to be a completely full car park. But here it is less easy to draw conclusions because it was 15:40 and some commuters return home early on Friday, and also we know some of the station car parking was from employees at the Royal Mail depot next door (in contravention of railway byelaws). We will continue to monitor the situation.
