BUSINESS leaders want to change the way thousands of commuters travel to the Newcastle inner-city, with a new bus service designed to alleviate traffic gridlock and parking shortages.
A park and ride shuttle could offer rapid connections to the central business district, Hunter Business Chamber said.
But persuading car-loving Novocastrians out of their vehicles was a challenge, and increased parking fees could be required to get people on public transport.
Chamber president Brett Derwin yesterday unveiled the transport plan, to be presented to Hunter politicians, Lower Hunter councils and other groups.
It is hoped the State Government would pay for the bus service, as it already finances shuttles in Wollongong and Sydney.
The chamber's proposal suggests putting park and ride stops at Broadmeadow's EnergyAustralia Stadium, and outside the chamber's headquarters on the former BHP steelworks site at Mayfield.
Shuttle buses would ferry commuters to the city, at five-minute intervals during peak hour.
The chamber said the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy predicted an increase in CBD traffic movements from 233,000 to 500,000 a day by 2031.
A Newcastle City Council study highlighted a need for 2050 extra short-term and 1050 long-term car spaces.
Mr Derwin said city development was set to exacerbate the problem.
"Anyone who parks in the city would already recognise the shortage of parking," he said.
"I think we're all so used to jumping in the car and driving into town.
"We're going to need to change our thinking on that as time goes by.
"It's apparent to everyone we'll be in gridlock if we just keep doing what we're doing."
The chamber believes its plan complements Hunter Development Corporation's city centre renewal report, which recommends a transport interchange at Wickham.
But the shuttle service could be implemented as soon as possible, Mr Derwin said. While stakeholders welcomed the intentions for a new park and ride city shuttle bus service, authorities made no commitment yesterday to supporting the Hunter Business Chamber's proposal.
Newcastle MP and Hunter Minister Jodi McKay commended the chamber on its transport plan.
"Many of the ideas are already contained within the Hunter Development Corporation's CBD renewal report," she said.
"As Minister for the Hunter, I will ensure the chamber's ideas are considered as part of the Government's integrated transport plan for Newcastle and the Hunter.
A Newcastle Buses spokesman said that Newcastle already had a fare-free bus zone in the city centre.
"There are currently no plans to extend these services," he said.
Hunter Commuter Council secretary Graham Boyd said yesterday he had not seen details of the chamber's plan.
But in general, the commuter council was in favour of park and ride, he said.
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