Article: Fans at Central Station will cool down rail commuters

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Fans at Central Station will cool down rail commuters

Fans at Central Station will cool down rail commuters

    * Kathy Quinn
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * March 12, 2010 5:07PM

Hot and bothered city commuters at Central Station will be breathing a sigh of relief after this week's installation of fans throughout the platforms.

"It's a fantastic idea,'' said passenger Noreen Wise, of Ipswich.

As an enclosed station, peak hour crowds must often endure the heat of the poorly-ventilated area and the new fans should bring a welcome cool change.

QR Passenger Group General Manager of Customer Service Theo Taifalos said that the fans had already received a positive response from the public.

"(The fans were) a pro-active measure to improve ventilation and customer comfort.'' he said.

At this stage, there are no plans to install fans at other Brisbane stations.

[cartel_brisbane]

They used to have big temporary ones (just like normal industrial size pedistal fans) most times when I was there.  Is that what is being referred to, or are there now more permanent ones?

[WTN]

One of my colleagues told me those industrial pedestal fans don't feel cool unless you're entering or leaving the station.  Not sure if that refers to the temporary or permanent fans.

[stephenk]

Fans are desperately needed at Fortitude Valley as well.

[Mozz]

My experience is that when trains are running to schedule there is little issue with temp at central station. It is when trains are delayed or significantly late resulting in thousands of people cramming the platforms that the heat becomes an major issue, particularly when not in peak so there are no staff to mitigate the issue with water etc.

[brad C]

It is not just the platforms that are oppressive.
As soon as one enters the ticket barriers on the concourse level, one is hit with hot air, despite this area being supposedly air conditioned.
I sometimes think that the a/c is never switched on as it is always hot and oppressive, even in the evening.
And the un-insulated roof structure adjacent to the ticket sales area and the AVTMs/shops is also a heat trap.
If shopping centres and air ports seem to be able to get their a/c working and cool down large volumes of air, then surely it would be reasonable to expect the main city station to be an inviting and comfortable venue.

Brad C