In March, a three-month trial began that would see some express services make an extra stop at Austinmer, in a bid to relieve commuter parking pressure around Thirroul station.

Since the trial began, the once-empty car park at Austinmer has been almost full.

In State Parliament this week, Mr Park said he was “pleased” that the trial was under way and believed it “will take some pressure off the surrounding area of Thirroul”.

Commuters at Austinmer were saving about 13 minutes each morning and afternoon since some express services began stopping at the station, Mr Park said.

However, further action was needed from Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Mr Park said, both in terms of the future of the Austinmer stop and the possibility of adding other stations.

“In his correspondence he said ‘we will be monitoring the trial closely’,” Mr Park said.

“I hope we see a move towards a permanent change and that other stations such as Woonona are slotted into the timetable to ease the pressure around Thirroul.”

Mr Park called on the government to be open with the public about the trial's future.

“The government has monitored car parks and this [trial] has proven to be a great success,” he said.

“Opal ticketing and load factors have also been tracked. The Minister is aware that the load factors on our trains are well above capacity during peak periods.

“Anyone who has anything to do with public transport knows that. We want an update on how the trial is progressing and an announcement that the change will remain in place.”