Article: QR spends big at Toowong

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail Quest click here!

QR spends big at Toowong

QR spends big at Toowong

    by: Vanessa Croll, Westside News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    January 31, 2012 8:59AM

TOOWONG train station is currently undergoing its first major revamp in more than 25 years, but commuters will only experience minor disruptions, says Queensland Rail.

The $3 million upgrade began last week and major work to improve restrooms, public space, seating, ticket-purchasing and commuter flow is set to be completed by the end of February.

Project manager Dale Butler said commuters could expect minimal disruption.

"At request from Queensland Rail, the bulk of the work will be done during night shifts and quieter, back-of-house minor works will be done during the day shifts," he said.

Member for Mt Coot-tha Andrew Fraser said the station was consistently one of the top 10 busiest stations in the network with more than 2500 trips recorded during peak times each weekday.

"This is one of the busiest stations on the line so we want to make sure commuters are able to start and finish their days in safe and comfortable conditions and have better access for people with a disability," he said.

Mr Fraser said the upgrade was part of the State Government's $200 million City Network Station Upgrade Program.

[SurfRail]

When I last studied the tenders there was no provision for platform raising - I wonder if that has changed...

[somebody]

When I last studied the tenders there was no provision for platform raising - I wonder if that has changed...

Hmm, given how busy it is here you'd think it would justify that.  I don't think there is a prohibitive curve either.  Perhaps what I think and reality don't coincide in this case. (Had to get in first.)

[mufreight]

When I last studied the tenders there was no provision for platform raising - I wonder if that has changed...

Hmm, given how busy it is here you'd think it would justify that.  I don't think there is a prohibitive curve either.  Perhaps what I think and reality don't coincide in this case. (Had to get in first.)

Seems that QR has not been funded to raise the platforms, the story being that it is only a refurbishment not a reconstruction so the program of raising platforms has had a short lifespan despite assurances that platform raising would be part of all future station refurbishnents.
The Toy Boy Treasurer and his short sighted beancounters and their counterparts at Transtink have deemed that such works as raising platforms are not needed.
Far better to only do a few stations and bring them into the 21st century than just carry out cosmetic jobs on a number of stations with no real benefit either for passengers or in the operation of trains by reducing dwell times.

[Gazza]

One to raise at the next CRG. Bob and Mu, mind making the point for me that cosmetic upgrades shouldn't be taking precedence over accessibility and platform raising.

Cant remember which station it is on the Ipswich line, but they put in these reddish brown coloured concrete triangle things, in the garden beds, yet the station still doesn't have PIDs.

[mufreight]

One to raise at the next CRG. Bob and Mu, mind making the point for me that cosmetic upgrades shouldn't be taking precedence over accessibility and platform raising.

Cant remember which station it is on the Ipswich line, but they put in these reddish brown coloured concrete triangle things, in the garden beds, yet the station still doesn't have PIDs.

Dinmore

[david]

Election? What election? :p

Seriously though, Toowong does desperate need a cosmetic upgrade, along with a disability upgrade. That station has been looking very run down for a long long time. I hope it gets a Fortitude Valley-request makeover. I havent seen any artists impressions yet though. If anyone could post some up here that are publicly available that would be fantastic

[Gazza]

There's nothing wrong with acessibility of the station, it's the pedestrian environment outside it which is the issue....Ever seen the size of the kerb step up when crossing Sherwood Rd in front of Sizzler?

[Mozz]

True re the footpath, but it's at least a metre wide between the blank wall and the three lanes of vehicle traffic .... and cambers towards the roadway ...just don't trip or fall

[SurfRail]

There's nothing wrong with acessibility of the station, it's the pedestrian environment outside it which is the issue....Ever seen the size of the kerb step up when crossing Sherwood Rd in front of Sizzler?

There is plenty wrong with the station layout - poor lighting, narrow stairs, step up to the train.  It is just not as dramatic as some others (eg South Bank platform 1 vertical and horizontal gap, Taringa lack of lifts and narrow platforms).

[Cam]

Far better to only do a few stations and bring them into the 21st century than just carry out cosmetic jobs on a number of stations with no real benefit either for passengers or in the operation of trains by reducing dwell times.

Agree. Platform height is a safety issue & should be improved before, or in confunction with, any visual improvements.

[somebody]

There's nothing wrong with acessibility of the station, it's the pedestrian environment outside it which is the issue....Ever seen the size of the kerb step up when crossing Sherwood Rd in front of Sizzler?

You mean High St (opposite RE) or Sherwood Rd (outside Toowong Village)?

It is annoying that there is an poorly signed entrance ramp leading up from High St, but I've never noticed anything else that bad in this area TBH.  With the sign, exactly how does it infer that you need to go up the ramp rather than just around the corner?

[somebody]

Ooh, I did forget about the bus stops.  Would be much nicer to have I/B after High St, but there isn't enough room to do that very easily.

[Gazza]

Sorry, meant high street.

[david]

Seriously though, Toowong does desperate need a cosmetic upgrade, along with a disability upgrade. That station has been looking very run down for a long long time. I hope it gets a Fortitude Valley-request makeover. I havent seen any artists impressions yet though. If anyone could post some up here that are publicly available that would be fantastic

Found an artist's impression of the makeover on Queensland Rail's Facebook site
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=354072074611159&set=a.354071991277834.92377.139321872752848&type=3&theater

[O_128]

putting some stairs in to stop you having to use the stupid ramp would be a massive improvement.

[Gazza]

As would replacing those 'dangerous when wet' tiles with something more abrasive.

[david]

Visited Toowong Station today. It has become a hub of construction activity. Almost didn't recognise the place. The concourse has been torn to shreds, with scaffolding at every turn. No work yet on the platforms.

[Mr X]

I have never liked Toowong at all, hoping this makes it far better. Renders look good at least (seen some floating around on other sites)

[ozbob]

Left the train at Toowong today to have a look around ( and catch up with a few of my ex students at the RE .. lol) ...

Some photographs ...

























Photographs R Dow 17th February 2012

[Otto]

My wife got pushed on the stairs in the first photo yesterday morning.. She fell and injured both her knees.. Finding it very painful to walk at the moment.

[ozbob]

My wife got pushed on the stairs in the first photo yesterday morning.. She fell and injured both her knees.. Finding it very painful to walk at the moment.

Sorry to hear that Otto. Might be worthwhile documenting the incident.  My wife went turtle on the escalator at Central one evening. Documenting the event and circumstances was very worthwhile.

Regards
Bob

[O_128]

My wife got pushed on the stairs in the first photo yesterday morning.. She fell and injured both her knees.. Finding it very painful to walk at the moment.

Sorry to hear that Otto. Might be worthwhile documenting the incident.  My wife went turtle on the escalator at Central one evening. Documenting the event and circumstances was very worthwhile.

Regards
Bob

the stairs really need to be something non slip. the toowong ones are some of the worst

[Otto]

It's just lucky she fell 'up' the stairs instead of 'down'.

[ozbob]

Steady progress at Toowong







Photographs R Dow 4th March 2012

[DayboroStation]

The $3 million Toowong Station refurbishment is now complete. The main changes seem to be safety improvements such as non-slip tiles, better disability signage, and a railing up the middle of the main stairway from platforms 1 and 2. Although these changes are welcome improvements, they fail to address other issues, such as congestion at the Go Card turnstiles, and the narrow stairwell down to platforms 3 and 4. Perhaps improved counter-peak frequency would alleviate some of the congestion that is currently being experienced at Toowong Station during peak times.

[Gazza]

They never even did the re-tiling down at platform level though?

[DayboroStation]

No they didn't. Still looks pretty much the same on the actual platforms.