A $1.1 million upgrade of the Bray Park Railway Station, which will increase parking capacity at the site by one-third, has commenced.

State Member for Pine Rivers Carolyn Male said passengers would soon have an additional 76 car parking spaces on the western side of the station.

The upgrades will take the total number of car parking spaces available at the station to 226.

“This car park extension off Brahms Street will encourage people to park their cars at the train station and take public transport to their destination, rather than adding to peak hour congestion on the ANZAC Avenue and Gympie Road,” Ms Male said.

Ms Male said the 76 extra spaces was expected to handle current demand for car parking at the station until at least 2016.

She said the fully fenced car park, to be covered by CCTV, would also have good lighting to ensure “it will be a safe and secure place to leave your car”.

Ms Male said the park ‘n’ ride extension was “consistent with TransLink's policy to develop these facilities outside the CBD and inner-fringe areas”.

Bicycle facilities at the station will also be improved.

“They (TransLink) are also undertaking a preliminary assessment of the interchange facility at Bray Park with a view to improving pedestrian, cycle, and bus access as well,” Ms Male said.

Clearing of the site began earlier this year with construction commencing last week.

The upgrades are due to be opened to the public in October, one month ahead of the scheduled six-month timeframe.

Passenger data for the first quarter of 2010 shows almost 1800 people access through Bray Park station during morning and afternoon peak each weekday.