Train Stations that need fixing

[#Metro]

... we have one for bus, here's one for trains!

Auchenflower Station
Gripes:
* Looks like it is from the 1960's, ramp is so steep, a disabled person would have trouble going up/down it
* No signage on Milton Rd/Ridley st (Hey, I'm a rail station, USE ME!!!)
* No fare gates, people can just walk on in and get a free ride to Ipswich/Toowong
* Couldn't see bike racks
* No display PID in the station building- there is one for platforms 1/2, but a person entering the station cannot see it, when they enter- so people get confused about which of the 4 platforms to choose. (Timetable has no platform listed either)

What should/could happen
* Demolish station building.
* Install 2 lifts, busway style (i.e. stairs running around the outside of the shafts)
* Bike rack inside, PID in the building foyer and fare gates.

Busway stations look good, and simple. Why can't train stations look the same?
There must be heaps of run-down stations like this. It doesn't have to be big or expensive, just simple and nice. K.I.S.S.

[O_128]

Wynnum Central

1. looks like it is from the 1960s
2. Run down sation building
3. No PIDs
4. The main exit from the station is a ramp that goes the middle of a level crossing. a subway should be built here.

major development is happening in wynnum central directly next tot he station so i also agrre that a busway style would work but also some stairs like the ones to the barraks would be good aswell.

[#Metro]

Dutton Park
1. Looks like it is from the 1970's. It is metal, concrete and featureless.
2. No PID at station frontage
3. Massive, long winded ramp (It would be much easier to have a busway style stairwell, with a lift through the central shaft).
4. Wooden waiting shed is being eaten by termites (visible for all to see).
5. Nothing for bicycles
6. Pedestrian and bicycle conflict at station exit (there is a sign, but who reads signs?)

Reccomendations
* Demolish station building and ramps (looks like a lot of stations are going to have to going down this path )
* Install busway style liftwell and spiral stairs to platforms
* Set the station buildings as a bridge, above and over the tracks (like Auchenflower currently is)- avoids ramps etc.
Set it well back from the road so there is plenty of space for cyclists and pedestrians to see  and avoid eachother.
* Bicycle bay/racks, undercover, away from road bridge.
* Install PIDs at front entrance
* Install fare gates and ticket machines (not a transfer or crossing station, no carpark so no need for building/ticket seller office. Space for one could be put there if future needs change).
* Install bus bay- Dutton Pk is a popular place for railbuses when there is trackwork etc going on.

[#Metro]

Actually, coming to think about it, a lot of stations are pretty run down looking- white (wooden!) bridges with shredded tyre non-slip walkway (no shelter on the walkway either).

I think a lot of crime could be avoided if the places didn't look so unappealing.

[O_128]

having station offices on the bridges could also pave the way for gated stations and cut down fare evaders

[Emmie]

Yeronga - the station itself is so-so, but the bridge is terrible, with three separate sections where you have to go up and down steps, very wearing at the end of a long day!

[Fridge]

There is an urgent need to improve passenger information at Glasshouse, Beerwah and Landsborough stations as trains switch platforms regularly at these stations due to the nature of the track use, the single track and lack of station staff.

[#Metro]

Hmm. Might also be a need for Translink to develop an iPhone application that does the work of a PID for ANY station.

[O_128]

removal of old rickety wooden bridges at manly,wynnum central,wynnum,wynnum north, lindum,murrarie,cannon hill,norman park and buranda.

[mufreight]

Be nice if it were affordable but other infrastructure has a much ihgher need, such as tracks, more reliable signaling etc.
Understand that QR does have a program of upgrading and refurbishing stations but also a very limited budget hence platforms did not get raised at Indooroopilly when it was rebuilt, yes PID's on all stations and on all platforms would be great but again they cost and money spent on these things is money that it syphoned off other works that actualy affect train operation and the provision of reliable services.
A lot of money could be spent on stations such as Riverview to enable the elderly and disabled from the Riverview Gardens home to access trains that would be better spent than rebuilding Dutton Park or Auchenflower, at least despite the asthetics they are both functional at this time.

[Arnz]

There is an urgent need to improve passenger information at Glasshouse, Beerwah and Landsborough stations as trains switch platforms regularly at these stations due to the nature of the track use, the single track and lack of station staff.

Landsborough and Beerwah are attended the whole day.  (even up till 9pm at Landsborough on some days of the week).

[#Metro]

Be nice if it were affordable but other infrastructure has a much ihgher need, such as tracks, more reliable signaling etc.

This is the same argument as to why the states never got their rail tracks under one size.
There are more priorities, indeed, but something must be done about it- station by station, targeting those stations that would have the most to gain from renewal.

More people will use the service if it is quality and accessible.
BCC buses/busways show this. Studies show this. I read somewhere that putting aircon on buses could increase ridership by 15%. People are willing to pay more for more back. And while they are at it, they can install fare gates and automated ticketing machines. Less people will take free rides, and there won't be so much need to pay lots of security officers going around checking everyone's tickets.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

[Jon Bryant]

Not only do all but a few of our stations need upgrading (the money should be made available above and beyond the infrastructure that also needs to be developed) they also need to have the surrounding development/car parks redeveloped.  The sexist new station is not going to feel safe after hours if it is surrounded by large car parks.  Each of our stations need to be the central focus of a surrounding TOD.  This also helps with patronage.

See Car Parking - Solution topic for more discssion on TOD's http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg13885#msg13885

Why can't Translink call for Expressions of Interest for all station to re-develop the car park, any surround land, air space (e.g. Wolloowin, Morningside). etc.  Offer the land/space for free in return for an upgrade to the Station.  Designed well like the busway stations of course.

[#Metro]

MTR Corporation in Hong Kong [1]is a private corporation which runs trains and also acts as a land developer- attracting people and businesses around their stations- which in turn benefits the public and them (as more people catch trains etc).

A similar thing could be done in Brisbane- if the authorities were a bit more entreprenural and willing to "go out there".
If TL did this, you could have your cake and eat it too. You get your TOD, carpark and perhaps a brand new station, final cost to gov't = $0.00

Density and Council planning regulations might be an issue. I think it is bizzare how shopping centres like Garden City, Chermside, Indooroopilly and Carindale were all built far away from rail stations (and at the time, bus too). And I'm not sure how Central is going to be expanded...


[1] The same guys who are now part of a group who will be running Melbourne's train system when Connex's contact ends

[Jon Bryant]

Bring it on.  NOW!!!!!

[O_128]

well someone is going to say it so it may aswell be me.
CENTRAl

1. cover the northern end.
2. create a much larger concourse by removing parking
3.  if necassay get a private invester involved for example westfield and build a shopping centre on top of it.
4. Modernise the platforms.

South brisbane

i already like the design here but it needs LCD PIDs and a coat of paint.

South bank

already supposed to be getting upgraded with the TOD on top of it though add a 4th platform and decorate it to fit in with the area.

[#Metro]

So many people fall down the stairs at Central.
Ouch!

I just don't know where or how Central is going to be expanded. Where is the space? Underground?
What is worse is the trains sit at the platform for 2 minutes, which blocks everything for that time.

[mufreight]

The trains sit at Central due to recovery time being built into the timetable so that if running late the train can depart from Central to the timetable.