The Automobile Association (AA) has dubbed Auckland's park and ride system "a joke" compared to other cities around the world.
Auckland Transport is providing an additional 1900 parking spaces for the Super City, but many say it doesn't go far enough.
In Albany on Auckland's North Shore, some commuters are getting so desperate for a space they're parking in the mud.
- New Auckland transport plans the 'biggest-ever' - Goff
- Automobile Association calls for drivers to remember the basics
- The New Zealand road rule that sparked intense debate
"People are parking all the way down the back on the grass and it's causing issues," one told Newshub.
"It's a problem," said another. "I came for an interview one day and drove around for about 15 minutes."
University student Paulus Chapman arrives at campus an hour early every day after racing to secure a space at the Albany park and ride.
"I used to come here at seven-ish to ensure [I] get a park," he says. "I might even come a bit earlier now."
The AA says Auckland's parking system is woefully inadequate.
"Compared to the level of park and ride we see in Wellington and cities around the world, the amount we've got in Auckland is a joke," says spokesman Barney Irvine.
The AA is calling for Auckland Transport to fund more park and ride spots. The city's system currently has 5500 parking spaces, but by 7:30am, they're already 85 percent full - and by 8:30am they're all gone.
"What we really want to see is 10,000 new parking spaces over the next decade," Mr Irvine says. "2000 is great, but where are the rest?"
However Auckland Transport says its goal of 10,000 spaces by 2046 is enough.
It says it will never be able to build enough park and rides to meet demand - that's why it's focusing efforts on alternatives so people won't need to drive at all.
Those alternatives include putting in better connector bus services - that's where people take a bus to a transport hub to connect to their main service. But taking two buses to work doesn't always go down well with commuters.
Newshub.
