RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Picked up a couple of flyers at Taringa rail station ..

Not mentioned here --> City Network Station Upgrades  

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
12/05/2011

Taringa train station to be revamped

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced Taringa train station would receive a $1.3 million renovation to improve facilities for commuters.

Ms Palaszczuk said construction was starting at the station this month.

"Renovation work to Taringa Station will include toilet upgrades, new and improved seating and signage, new roof, painting, landscaping, new Passenger Information Display Screens and scenic artwork," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The new-look station is part of the State Government's $200 million Station Upgrade Program which is improving almost one-third of train stations across South East Queensland.

"The program is one of the biggest upgrades since services began in the 1860s and will give stations a fresh new look and improved facilities."

Ms Palaszczuk said safety at Taringa and surrounding stations had also been improved recently with the installation of an upgraded CCTV security system at Taringa, Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood and Auchenflower.

"We're investing in the safety and security of local customers, with a new CCTV system installed at five local stations this year as part of a $3.3 million CCTV upgrade at 47 stations," she said.

"The new technology will provide better detection and monitoring of our local station, and will improve the reliability of data which can be used to assist in police investigations."

Ms Palaszczuk said this was in addition to a number of other security initiatives recently announced for the Ipswich line, including a partnership with Crime Stoppers, police mounted patrols and mobile security dogs.

Queensland Rail and TransLink will work with the construction teams to minimise disruptions for customers during the station enhancement works.

For further details on public transport, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30.

I don't suppose they intend fixing the wafer-thin platforms, their surface treatment or heights?  No?  That's OK, there's a pretty mural to look at.

Quote from: SurfRail on May 12, 2011, 22:23:17 PM
I don't suppose they intend fixing the wafer-thin platforms, their surface treatment or heights?  No?  That's OK, there's a pretty mural to look at.

I agree, Taringa needs much more than $1.3m to fix its problems!

Perhaps they could build an entirely new station near it then decommission Taringa, rather than some lengthy and painful upgrade??

From the Westside News click here!

Disabled left out of rail upgrade

QuoteDisabled left out of rail upgrade

    Transport & Traffic

26 May 11 @ 06:36am by Vanessa Croll

A TRANSPORT lobby group says not enough is being done to improve disabled access to Taringa railway station despite the State Government's commitment to a $1.3 million upgrade.

Spokesman for commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track, Robert Dow, welcomed the upgrade announcement earlier this month but said a major upgrade was needed.

"The minor upgrade is useful and all a good thing but the basic issue is that the station can't be accessed by disabled people," he said.

"Taringa has on the census one of the highest public transport usage rates outside the CBD in southeast Queensland," Mr Dow said.

Indooroopilly MP Scott Emerson said he had spent two years pushing the State Government to commit to the minor upgrade.

"It is still unacceptable that (this) upgrade (doesn't) include a lift to improve access for those with a disability or others including parents with prams," he said.

Bus services provide a viable (better outside peak) alternative for most of the disabled and people with prams, so long as you don't need to cross the train line to reach them.  Also getting from Rockeby Tce to the I/B stop is a problem.

Another problem is that QSBS B isn't accessible by the disabled.

Taringa rail station missed the bus ... remember this Taringa, possible TOD?

This TOD seems to have died, along with a few others as well, although something significant might happen one day at Taringa ..

Quote from: SurfRail on May 12, 2011, 22:23:17 PM
I don't suppose they intend fixing the wafer-thin platforms, their surface treatment or heights?  No?  That's OK, there's a pretty mural to look at.

Goodna needs some nice murals too ..  we might have to form a local lobby group GRSWMT ..  I suppose the billboard with the old St Ives housing promotion is better than nothing .. lol



Photograph R Dow 7th April 2011

[GRSWMT=Goodna Rail Station Wants Murals Too]

You could spend a lot of money on this station and still not make it DDA accessible, has anyone bothered to look at the topography around there?!

Quote from: dwb on May 30, 2011, 07:11:16 AM
You could spend a lot of money on this station and still not make it DDA accessible, has anyone bothered to look at the topography around there?!

You could but you wouldn't do it unless you did.  There is a legal requirement to do it.  Depending on wether the platforms on the mains are kept or not simplies things a little.  In any case simply widen the cutting on the main down, side platform, island, then another side.  This simplifies the necessary ramps and lifts.  Alternate is the just a new island on the subs.

Quote from: ozbob on May 30, 2011, 07:28:48 AM

Quote from: dwb on May 30, 2011, 07:11:16 AM
You could spend a lot of money on this station and still not make it DDA accessible, has anyone bothered to look at the topography around there?!

You could but you wouldn't do it unless you did.  There is a legal requirement to do it.  Depending on wether the platforms on the mains are kept or not simplies things a little.  In any case simply widen the cutting on the main down, side platform, island, then another side.  This simplifies the necessary ramps and lifts.  Alternate is the just a new island on the subs.

What I'm saying, is how do you gain access to the north? you would need at the very least a high elevator and a bridge from Moggill Rd/Morrow St. It is going to be big ugly and expensive!

Not really, I walk along there regularly.  The exit north from the station concourse is along a walkway level with the road.  The real issue is getting up from the platform to the concourse  It would be a challenge but not any more so than say Buranda bus station and elsewhere.

Something i was thinking about.
Taringa is far too constrained and on steep hill for a meaningful upgrade.
The station should just shift 250m to Beatrice St where there is plenty of space to build straight platforms.

This would require two new rail bridges over Beatrice St to allow for the bulge out, but theoretically you could get away with only one island platform given the express pair doesnt need platforms.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1527380895971540992

I'd ideally like to see a complete rebuild with just an island platform for the middle track pair to allow for Up-Up-Down-Down running.

4 platforms at very least don't preclude that from happening.  The worst outcome would be an island between the existing stopping sracks only.

https://www.michaelberkman.com.au/estimates_hearings_taringa_station_accessibility_20201211

Estimates: Question on Taringa Train Station accessibility upgrades

Estimates on Friday 11 December 2020

QuoteMr BERKMAN: I have a question in relation to the Station Accessibility Upgrade Program. I should start by saying how glad I am to see the Auchenflower upgrade underway. I have also been on the record for a long time about the need for accessibility upgrades at Taringa station, which is only accessible via really narrow stairs. I want to clarify very quickly with the director-general, first of all, which agency—QR or the department—is responsible for producing that priority list of stations requiring upgrades?

Mr Scales: The priority list is produced after consultation with the minister, but it is a QR list. Because we fund it through the transport services contract, we are involved. The Strachan inquiry listed major projects that should be undertaken either by QR or by us, and it was decided that upgrades to existing rail stations would be handled by QR. It would be a QR initiated thing. We would be involved because of TransLink and our transport side of things and the fact that we are the funder. Then eventually those recommendations would go to the minister, who would make the decision.

Mr BERKMAN: I suspect that, despite that split of responsibility, this should not be difficult to answer. I am curious to know when the list was last reviewed. In terms of Taringa, did that review consider the newly opened private hospital right next to Taringa station?

Mr Scales: I am quite interested in that station because I know it pretty well. The hospital itself is that private hospital, as you said. There are two other stations I think in your electorate that are fully independently accessible. That is Toowong and Indooroopilly, either side of Taringa. If you have two accessible stations very close to each other—these two are—we would look at Taringa in its constructability. There are a lot of challenges. You have that car park as well as the coffee shop that is next to it, and then you have the underpass that goes to the station when you come down from whatever road it is to get there. I think it is more about constructability. It would need lifts and, because you have a station either side of it, that would not have gone forward at this point.

^ that response by Mr Scales I strongly disagree with.  It matters little that the stations down and up are accessible, the fact is Taringa isn't and it is adjacent to a busy private hospital and medical centre.

East Ipswich is adjacent to an accessible station too, but it was given the rolled gold treatment for much less patronage than Taringa.

20/21  Taringa 269,746 passengers
       East Ipswich 57,492 passengers

About time Taringa was made accessible.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1527861312470261760

Let's have another crack at Taringa.

What do you think would be a good upgrade strategy for this station.

It does present some challenges.

See my earlier post... Move the station.
Current site is too steep and narrow.

Yes, I moved your post above from the station updates thread.  I thought it has merit and should be in the mix.

Quote from: Gazza on May 22, 2022, 00:16:37 AMSee my earlier post... Move the station.
Current site is too steep and narrow.

Gazza's diagram:

What about the option to delete the station from the network? Indooroopilly would then be moved south a little.

The station spacing is already very close for intercity or regional commuter rail, being about 1.8 km from Indooroopilly and 1.1 km from Toowong.

Current passengers (~950 pax/day) would use BUZ 444 or other BCC buses and perhaps a pedestrian bridge would be constructed.

Area would be reviewed for speeds with a view to faster train speeds through the area.

Station upgrades are expensive and some thoughts should be taken on whether a station should be upgraded or station spacing widened, rather than assuming upgrade as the default position. Similar issues exist on the Beenleigh line - too many stations too closely spaced.

No, I think both Indooroopilly and Taringa are needed. Taringa is relatively busy compared to many stations on the network despite not being accessible. Once accessible patronage will further increase, it is also adjacent to a private hospital/medical centre. There would be zero support to close Taringa, either from Government or locals.  Dutton Park being a good example, closing that was an option looked at seriously but it prevails extant.  These are inner suburban stations, they are needed.

They had their chance with Indooroopilly, gone ...

Taringa can be upgraded. I think it could start a few hundred metres up from Gazza's diagram. This will avoid some properties. It could be built new whilst the old in use, a lot more cost effective than the Auchenflower upgrade.

A few points

-There would be no support from any party, the broader community, or likely Translink for deleting this station.
 It's not a station like Bindha getting less than 10 a day where nobody would care and people could see the logic.

-Using the 444 would be a downgrade.

-Taringa has one of the highest public transport mode shares in Brisbane.

-The travel time benefit is marginal because express trains skip the station anyway. (Therefore Intercity or regional commuter rail would see no extra benefit)

-Therefore the travel time benefit would be towards people from Springfield etc.
(Darra has express access, Oxley is 25 mins from Roma St, making it 24 mins wont do much)

-I agree that in low density outer suburbia stations should be about 4km apart, with more reliance on feeder buses.
But in the inner ring suburbs density is higher and walk up/active transport becomes more important, so 1-2km spacing is appropriate, because the train is more like a Metro in these areas.

-Taringa has many 6-pack apartments, unit complexes etc in the walkup.

Agree with this, Taringa has a pretty good walk-up reach and stands to get a lot better as more units/apartments go up around it. Right next to the little Taringa Central shopping strip as well

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1537186936682840064

Some recent photographs around Taringa railway station.












































Photographs R Dow 16th June 2022

Some more photographs around Taringa station























Photographs R Dow 30th June 2022

Photographs R Dow 30th June 2022

Photographs R Dow 30th June 2022

Couriermail---> MP says new westside primary school could be built over train station

QuoteThis could include acquiring the commercial blocks north of the train line — Hungry Jack's, the Sci-Fleet Toyota car yard and/or an Indian restaurant.

There might even be a possibility to build vertically, over the train line in that area.

For more land space, the Department could consider closing Pike Ave and buying some homes south of the train line, he said.

Those residents might be happy to sell, knowing there were years of major station upgrade construction works coming, although he acknowledged resuming homes was a big step.

"I'm pushing for a site near to where Taringa State School was before being sold off in 1997, where the three under-pressure catchments converge,'' he said.

As there is no open space for the kids to run around they would also need to build a cycling/pedestrian bridge over Moggill Road to access Oakman Park near BBC.

Taringa



Photograph R Dow 20th April 2023

Quote from: ozbob on June 16, 2022, 07:42:25 AMhttps://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1537186936682840064

The only reason space seems to be an issue is that no doubt BCC will not play nice with TMR and make road space either shared or pedestrian (also BCC development approvals on the northern side of station have put car park entrances right next to the station entrance. They really do hate Trains don't they) + TMR will protect the 20 or so car park spaces at all costs including the ability to upgrade the Station it seems.

Ample opportunity to remove road space and make the station pedestrian friendly.

Taringa Accessibility Space

^

Michael Berkman - Greens MP for Maiwar

Sign the petition at https://www.michaelberkman.com.au/train-station-accessibility

Last week, we were hoping to hit the target of 1,000 signatures, but you smashed it out of the park and now we're at 1,200+ signatures. I've increased the target, because I think we can get it to 1,500! If you haven't already, share the petition with your friends and neighbours.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1689385003195449345

Queensland Parliament

Questions Without Notice

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2023/2023_11_28_DAILY.pdf

Taringa Railway Station, Accessibility

Mr BERKMAN: My question this morning is to the Minister for Transport. Taringa train station is
still only accessible by stairs, making it entirely inaccessible for people in wheelchairs, those with
mobility issues and people with prams. Will the minister listen to the more than 1,700 people who signed
my petition and commit to adding the Taringa train station to the Station Accessibility Upgrade
Program?

Mr BAILEY: This government takes accessibility on our train network very seriously. I believe that
we have now upgraded eight stations and we have another five stations under the Queensland Rail
program. Some of them have had early works done already—I think Bundamba and a few other
places—with heavy work to start in January. We also have accessibility upgrades for Salisbury into
Dutton Park—that string of old stations. We have finished Fairfield and Yeronga. There is work going
on at Dutton Park and Rocklea, with Salisbury and Moorooka to come. The Ekka station will become a
full-time station and it will be fully accessible. As well, there are four new underground stations that are being built to disability compliant standards. We now have accessibility upgrades covering about 82 to
83 per cent of the commuters across the network. Necessarily, accessibility programs in the early
stations have been targeted—not just by this government, but by other governments—in high-volume
stations for maximum benefit, and then we work our way through the system. I understand that the
member would like to see an accessibility upgrade at Taringa. We are looking at that and many others.

In terms of where the next tranche of upgrades will be, I cannot give the member a commitment
about timing at this stage in terms of that station. It will be upgraded at some point in the future, as all stations will be upgraded in the future. At the moment we have a program of five new ones, adding to
the considerable number under Cross River Rail. We have never seen this level of accessibility work
being done on our stations at one time. We will continue that program. There are more than half a billion
dollars going into the Queensland Rail program in addition to the Cross River Rail program.
Accessibility is something that we take seriously. We are making sure those new trains we are
building in Maryborough are disability compliant. It is one thing for stations to be compliant, but you
have to make sure the trains are compliant as well. We are currently fixing the NGRs that were ordered
by the previous government. We can necessarily only do eight of those at a time in order to keep the
network rolling. I believe that we have fixed 56 out of a total of 75 NGR trains that were ordered by the
Newman government. We will complete that next year.

In terms of the issue at Taringa, I am happy to keep the honourable member informed of future
deliberations, but there will need to be a future tranche of upgrades after the current ones. That will
start in January next year.