On March 7, Transport for NSW started a three-month trial of an extra stop at Austinmer station for 10 express services – five in the morning and five in the evening.

That trial – which came after much pushing from Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward - is due to end early next month.

The signs are that the trial has been a success – the once-empty car park at Austinmer is now full on weekdays and there are reports of more than 40 people on the platform waiting for a train.

In Friday’s Mercury Keira MP Ryan Park praised the Austinmer trial but said the public needed to be told what will happen come June.

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

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman declined to release any information it was using to determine the future of the Austinmer stop.

“We are analysing the data and feedback available and look forward to updating the community in due course,” the spokeswoman said.

“A thorough assessment process will be carried out before any permanent changes are considered.”

Mr Park also suggested Transport for NSW could look at trialling a stop at another station – the Keira MP put forward Woonona.

Comments from the Transport for NSW spokeswoman seem to indicate any trials of other stations was  unlikely.

“Austinmer station is the best option for an extra stop on selected peak period services considering operational factors such as timetabling feasibility, journey times, and connectivity,” she said.