Community support for rail stations (split from infrastructure funding)

[Stillwater]

For stations that see a train a couple of times a day (the ones north of Nambour on the Gympie run and west of Ipswich to Rosewood, and maybe beyond eventually) QR should explore options for tapping into local community pride and forming 'Friends of XYZ Station' groups.  Friends could collect rubbish, water gardens and sweep out waiting rooms.  You would be surprised how many towns would organise themselves in this way if it meant an extra one or two trains passed through daily.

[ozbob]

Since 2008 I have raised the possibility of local station care groups with Queensland Rail and others a number of times.

No one seems overly interested.  Although around 2011 I think it was QR did have a closer look at it for a while.

As for most things in Queensland ... it gets nowhere in the end ..

eg. 

Media Release 28 September 2008

SEQ:  Call to reclaim public transport for the community

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for a concerted campaign to empower the community to develop a sense of pride in and respect for their public transport assets.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is heart breaking to travel on our public transport and see scratched windows, damaged seats, and graffiti masquerading as art on rolling stock and line side structures. The community has become detached and desensitised to many of these effects.  The costs of the vandalism to transport operators must be considerable.  Public transport staff are frustrated and often feel not appreciated, and this in turn effects the morale of everyone.

"We continue to see more attempts at enforcement and regulation but that is clearly failing.  How about we try a preventative approach?  Educate the community, bring people on board, encourage respect for property and person. Set up local volunteer groups that can keep stations clean for example.  I am sure there are people who would be happy to be part of a local group that helps make public transport facilities attractive.  These things used to be done once, but we became too focused on fares and enforcement.

"The public transport belongs to the people. This point is seldom reinforced but it is a good start point.  Our transport, our City!  Lets look after it!  Bring back weekend family tickets for our public transport.  This can work as a valuable education tool as it encourages adults and children to get out on their public transport and shows them what a valuable asset it is. It will help endear respect.  Promote public transport in the schools, encourage students to look after their trains and buses.

"Engage the wider community.  Focus on the broader positive social aspects of public transport, there is a lot more to public transport than just tickets!


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

For example:

>> http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/About-us/Community/Community-Activities

Community Volunteer Groups

For more than two decades, Adelaide Metro has supported individuals and community groups to care for their local tram stops and train stations.
With more than 82 stations and 28 stops, there are dozens of hard working volunteer groups making their public transport environment more pleasant for everyone.

[Stillwater]

I know of one community that is likely to 'adopt' its town railway station, almost as an act of civil disobedience.  They are taking bets among themselves about how long it will take the guys sitting at the other end of those security cameras to notice people with lawnmowers, picks and shovels.  Tree-planting will be their initial task.  Rusting scaffolding is likely to get a coat of paint.  Oops, almost gave away the location!

We can't have this, can we?

http://springbluff.com.au

Nooooo, we must have this:

>> http://bit.ly/1LJhOra

Ed: modified link

[ozbob]

This might be of interest Mr Stillwater

http://www.vline.com.au/community/sponsorship/major/stationeers.html

Vline - Stationeers

Stationeers are groups of volunteers who conduct beautification activities that help maintain the appearance and surrounds of railway stations throughout Victoria.

In partnership with Keep Australia Beautiful V/Line supports the 26 active Stationeers groups across country Victoria. Through this partnership we aim to create identity, a sense of pride, and ownership of our stations through social and creative activity in local communities.

V/Line works hard to maintain the landscape along our rail lines and at our stations to improve safety, mitigate our impact on the environment and beautify the communities we serve. The Stationeers volunteers assist us in achieving these goals.

To find your local group or for information on how to set up a Stationeers group please contact Gary Mogford, Program Manager, KABV & Litter at Sustainability Victoria, phone: (03) 8626 8794 or email gary.mogford@sustainability.vic.gov.au.

^ Marvellous stuff this ..