Last December, the Department of Transport notified Banyule council of a planned crackdown on parking restrictions at Darebin, Ivanhoe, Eaglemont, Greensborough, Macleod, Montmorency and Rosanna stations.

Heidelberg and Watsonia stations were not included in the crackdown, but a council report revealed parking there would still be patrolled.

Metro Trains staff will patrol car parks and issue warning notices to those who park illegally, the report said. Repeat offenders would be fined.

Mayor Tom Melican said passengers often parked in restricted areas or double parked.

Train patronage has increased 27 per cent since 2004 along the Hurstbridge line, according to transport department statistics, putting pressure on parking at train stations.

The council report said the enforcement at train stations would create further parking headaches for nearby residents.

Cr Melican said council officers would increase patrols of surrounding streets. Banyule council will also lobby the Baillieu government for additional parking and bus connections.

Overcrowding and parking shortages at Watsonia station have prompted Bundoora MLA Colin Brooks to call for a multi-storey car park to be built beside the station.

However, Cr Melican dismissed the idea as expensive and impractical.