Ministerial Statement: Labor failed to improve station access

[Gazza]

It's probably been pushed further back in the queue, since there are a few stations without step free access at all that need sorting first.
Those heading for the hospital could use the half hourly 610.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/10/17/ferny-grove-line-stations-to-get-access

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, October 17, 2013

Ferny Grove line stations to get access

Two of the Ferny Grove line's busiest train stations will also be upgraded under a Newman Government plan to target disability black spots across the network.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the $40 million program to improve access to four south-east Queensland stations would also include Alderley and Newmarket stations.

"These are two of four stations across the Ferny Grove and Ipswich lines where early planning and designs are underway, as part of a $40 million program," Mr Emerson said.

"These are both busy stations with Alderley used by more than 1,000 passengers in the morning and afternoon peaks and Newmarket by more than 700.

"Earlier this month we announced that planning was underway to improve access to Dinmore and Graceville stations for elderly passengers, mothers with prams or small children, and those with a disability.

"The concept designs for all four stations are currently underway and will be available for passengers to view early 2014 and I expect construction to also begin next year."

Labor failed to meet Federal target for disability access, preferring a $200 million program to make stations look pretty.

Mr Emerson said the LNP would target the 31 stations across the network that have stairs-only access.

"The upgrades will be a further boost for the Ferny Grove line which is already benefiting from the LNP's promise of 15 minute off-peak services," he said.

"In the first year of delivering this promised increase in frequency we've seen more than 175,000 additional boardings on this line – with most of those choosing to travel off-peak.

"I'm pleased people are taking advantage of the extra services, with more commuters now choosing to leave their car at home and take the train into the city."

The $18 million, two-year trial added 28 new off-peak train services on the Ferny Grove line.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard Questions Without Notice

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2013/2013_10_17_DAILY.pdf

Mr BERRY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Could the minister please outline steps that are being taken to improve accessibility at Queensland rail stations?

Mr EMERSON: I thank the member for the question. I know that this is an area in which he is particularly interested. I am very pleased to inform the chamber that in the last week or so we have announced significant upgrades to four stations to improve their accessibility. Those four stations are Alderley, Newmarket, Graceville and Dinmore. Why are we doing this? This is one of the biggest challenges we inherited from the previous government. Across our network 31 stations do not have wheelchair accessibility; they are accessible only via stairs. We have worked to achieve more accessibility.
Unfortunately, 31 stations do not have wheelchair accessibility. Making all stations on the network disability accessible would cost about $1.5 billion. So we have to begin the process. We have targeted stations at which there is a high level of patronage but particularly in areas where consecutive stations have no wheelchair accessibility—only stair access. This is not just for people with disabilities; this is also about universal access—for people who have some mobility issues and for parents with prams, for instance. It is important. That is why we have targeted these four stations as the beginning of this program.
This contrasts with the previous government. They had many, many years in government but failed to deliver on a program that targeted this issue. In fact, some of the choices they made seem bizarre. In some cases they spent more than $10 million on a station that had just 60 people in a peak period but ignored stations that had 1,000 people in a peak period and left them with no wheelchair accessibility.
This is a great result for those stations. I know that some people in the electorate of Ipswich will use that Dinmore station. It is interesting to point out that we are delivering accessibility for a station in the electorate of Bundamba. Those opposite failed to deliver that when they were in office. We are ensuring people have wheelchair access to Dinmore station which Labor failed to deliver.
We are committed to improving access across our stations. This is not an easy task because of the failure and mismanagement of Labor and the fiscal deficit we were left. It is a big and expensive task. What is sad is that Labor had year after year after year in office and failed to deliver. It failed to meet its targets and misspent money. We are a government that is committed to improving access. That is why it is great to see these four stations being improved.

[BrizCommuter]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/10/17/ferny-grove-line-stations-to-get-access

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, October 17, 2013

Ferny Grove line stations to get access

Two of the Ferny Grove line's busiest train stations will also be upgraded under a Newman Government plan to target disability black spots across the network.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the $40 million program to improve access to four south-east Queensland stations would also include Alderley and Newmarket stations.

"These are two of four stations across the Ferny Grove and Ipswich lines where early planning and designs are underway, as part of a $40 million program," Mr Emerson said.

"These are both busy stations with Alderley used by more than 1,000 passengers in the morning and afternoon peaks and Newmarket by more than 700.

"Earlier this month we announced that planning was underway to improve access to Dinmore and Graceville stations for elderly passengers, mothers with prams or small children, and those with a disability.

"The concept designs for all four stations are currently underway and will be available for passengers to view early 2014 and I expect construction to also begin next year."

Labor failed to meet Federal target for disability access, preferring a $200 million program to make stations look pretty.

Mr Emerson said the LNP would target the 31 stations across the network that have stairs-only access.

"The upgrades will be a further boost for the Ferny Grove line which is already benefiting from the LNP's promise of 15 minute off-peak services," he said.

"In the first year of delivering this promised increase in frequency we've seen more than 175,000 additional boardings on this line – with most of those choosing to travel off-peak.

"I'm pleased people are taking advantage of the extra services, with more commuters now choosing to leave their car at home and take the train into the city."

The $18 million, two-year trial added 28 new off-peak train services on the Ferny Grove line.

Alderley and Newmarket are far from the the Ferny Grove Line's busiest stations, as per the state gov. press release. Alderley already has ramp access to/from the western ends of the platforms. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

[Stillwater]

Hope whatever goes in at Alderley conforms to the long-term planning for Trouts Road rail corridor.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Funds to improve access for northside train stations with stair-only access

TWO northside train stations have been earmarked for upgrades to target platform access black spots across the city network.

Newmarket and Alderley are two of four stations receiving lifts through the $40 million State Government project.

They are part of a string of three, including Wilston, which have stair-only access for all or some platforms.

State LNP Member for Stafford Chris Davis said they were a priority to improve access for people with a disability, the elderly and mothers with prams.

"Once the concept designs are completed they will be available for passengers to view early 2014 and I expect construction to also begin next year," Dr Davis said.

Newmarket station has more than 700 passengers during peak hour while Alderley has 1000.

Graceville and Dinmore stations have been announced as the other sites to receive the first upgrade.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said they were targeting sections of the network where several stations in a row had stair-only access.

[Old Northern Road]

Alderley and Newmarket are far from the the Ferny Grove Line's busiest stations, as per the state gov. press release. Alderley already has ramp access to/from the western ends of the platforms. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

Alderley is the busiest that doesn't already have wheelchair access though. I think the reason they chose Newmarket might be because it will only require one lift and will be cheaper.

The Sandgate upgrade cost $20million while these 4 stations will only cost $40million all up. Hopefully they will do a proper job on these.

[Gazza]

There's no reason why stuff like this should be costing so much anyway. Muno Para in Adelaide was done for $13 Mil. Two Glass lifts, platforms as long as the ones in Brisbane, and in fact it was built from scratch about 100m up the line from the old Muno Para station.

Rail stations seem to be bizarrely expensive compared to other similarly sized buildings.

[James]

There's no reason why stuff like this should be costing so much anyway. Muno Para in Adelaide was done for $13 Mil. Two Glass lifts, platforms as long as the ones in Brisbane, and in fact it was built from scratch about 100m up the line from the old Muno Para station.

Rail stations seem to be bizarrely expensive compared to other similarly sized buildings.

It is because we insist on doing things piecemeal, slowly, and turning stations into Taj Mahals in the process.

There is nothing wrong with simple ramps and at-grade pedestrian crossings. Sure, it might not be ideal, but I'd be more concerned about other non-DDA compliant stations.

I take a similar attitude to Taringa. Have you seen the kind of gradients you have to walk up/down to get to that station? Sure, the person in the wheelchair might be able to get from the platform to the overpass, but if they want to get up Moggill Road, they're going to need to fit their wheelchair with a jet engine. I'd be more concerned about giving busier stations DDA access - inner Beenleigh Line and inner Cleveland Line both come to mind.

[Old Northern Road]

Taringa would be the busiest station on the network without wheelchair access now that Sandgate is (virtually) complete. All the inner Cleveland line stations have wheelchair access except Buranda although there people should be able to use the Logan Rd underpass.

[ozbob]

 Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, March 13, 2014

Station's one step closer to upgrades

Tenders have been called for $40 million of work to upgrade accessibility of four train stations as part of the Newman Government's plan to target disability black spots.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the accessibility upgrades at Graceville, Dinmore, Alderley and Newmarket stations would deliver better infrastructure through better planning.

"These are all key stations on the network, but they currently have stair-only access to some platforms," Mr Emerson said.

"Labor wasted money on making stations pretty but failed to properly address access for mothers with prams, the elderly or those with a disability at 31 stations across the network.

"There are several areas where up to three stations in a row have stairs-only access.

"Our program will include installing lifts improving safety and access for people with disabilities and people travelling with prams, small children or luggage."

Following a competitive tendering process involving shortlisted companies, the successful contractor will be appointed and begin work immediately on the final design, with construction expected to start later this year.

The Member for Stafford Chris Davis welcomed the upgrade to Alderley and Newmarket station and said the Newman Government remained committed to providing accessible rail services that allow all customers to travel safely and easily.

"Stations are prioritised for upgrades based on a number of factors, including current level of access, customer patronage, nearby accessible stations, and facilities in the local community," Dr Davis said.

"We are working closely with our Accessibility Reference group and community representatives to review our method for prioritising stations to ensure factors are correctly weighted and the process is robust."

[ENDS] 13 March 2014

[SurfRail]

Please for the love of god tell me that the platforms will be raised for full-length at these stations.

[ozbob]

Please for the love of god tell me that the platforms will be raised for full-length at these stations.

No guarantee yet.  Will be asking again ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th March 2014

Rail station upgrades

Greetings,

Welcome news concerning some station upgrades to provide improved access.  The big question is however will the stations be made fully Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant by ensuring that platforms are raised to carriage floor height?

There remain many stations not compliant on the network, platform heights being a key issue for non compliance together with the absence of accessible ramps or lifts.

Money can be made to go further by considering ramps instead of lifts in certain situations and still comply with DDA requirements..  Lifts also break down, thereby rendering the station inaccessible and are costly to build and maintain.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

================================

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/3/13/stations-one-step-closer-to-upgrades

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, March 13, 2014

Station's one step closer to upgrades

Tenders have been called for $40 million of work to upgrade accessibility of four train stations as part of the Newman Government's plan to target disability black spots.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the accessibility upgrades at Graceville, Dinmore, Alderley and Newmarket stations would deliver better infrastructure through better planning.

"These are all key stations on the network, but they currently have stair-only access to some platforms," Mr Emerson said.

"Labor wasted money on making stations pretty but failed to properly address access for mothers with prams, the elderly or those with a disability at 31 stations across the network.

"There are several areas where up to three stations in a row have stairs-only access.

"Our program will include installing lifts improving safety and access for people with disabilities and people travelling with prams, small children or luggage."

Following a competitive tendering process involving shortlisted companies, the successful contractor will be appointed and begin work immediately on the final design, with construction expected to start later this year.

The Member for Stafford Chris Davis welcomed the upgrade to Alderley and Newmarket station and said the Newman Government remained committed to providing accessible rail services that allow all customers to travel safely and easily.

"Stations are prioritised for upgrades based on a number of factors, including current level of access, customer patronage, nearby accessible stations, and facilities in the local community," Dr Davis said.

"We are working closely with our Accessibility Reference group and community representatives to review our method for prioritising stations to ensure factors are correctly weighted and the process is robust."

[ENDS] 13 March 2014

[mufreight]

It would seem from the minutes of the all lines CRG meeting that the platforms are only going to be partially raised so one would assume camel humps like Fortitude Valley, obviously the clown running the circus have learnt nothing.
Full height platforms reduce station dwell times, improve safety and will eventually allow the safe operation of Driver only trains.
At Graceville there is no need to spend many millions on Lifts when a second subway with ramps at the Sherwood end of the station would serve and ramps do not break down and require minimal maintenance, for the costs of the overpass and lifts the platforms could all be raised to full height and the new subway constructed that would be DDA compliant and change left over.

[ozbob]

It took 8 months to fix the lifts at Goodna following the January 2011 floods.  There is a subway at the down end at Goodna but it has stairs. 

Lift outages are commonplace on the network. 

[ozbob]

Please for the love of god tell me that the platforms will be raised for full-length at these stations.

No guarantee yet.  Will be asking again ...

Have received advice as to whether platform heights will be raised for full-length or otherwise (partial - humps) is still under consideration. 

Ramps etc. are being looked at as well as lifts where practical.

Be a number of months before project details known.

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times 14th March 2014 page 21

Lifting disability access

[ozbob]

One of the things that impressed me with the Sandgate station upgrade was the way the platforms were raised.  Done full length with a reverse slope, so that a runaway pram/stroller rolls away from instead of towards the tracks.  Partial raisings (humps) does not really make a station fully compliant.  Every effort should be made from here on in to ensure platforms are all raised full length when upgrades done.

[petey3801]

That was certainly one good thing about the Sandgate upgrade. One of the main things that really p!sses me off about the Sandgate upgrade is that they spent all that time and money on it, upgraded the LX and installed a PedX maze, but didn't install PedX gates. So now, we have two security guards standing guard there for 20-odd hours a day, all day (and most of the night), every day. Also we can now only travel at 25km/h across the LX. An absolute joke and a complete waste of resources that is!

[ozbob]

When all else fails ...

Q U E E N S L A N D E R! 

[ozbob]

The many inconsistencies and obvious problems with many of the station ' upgrades ' over the past years are hopefully going to be minimised.  One of the problems was that there was a large number of different work groups involved with these upgrades.  I have been informed that as of recently,  station upgrades and the like is now under the effective management of one work group.  It is hoped that this will lead to consistency, much better cost control,  and the obvious problems hopefully not occurring (no need to list them).  We know it is a long list, but hopefully from here on in it will be better! 

I am still an optimist ... 

[Gazza]

At Graceville there is no need to spend many millions on Lifts when a second subway with ramps at the Sherwood end of the station would serve and ramps do not break down and require minimal maintenance, for the costs of the overpass and lifts the platforms could all be raised to full height and the new subway constructed that would be DDA compliant and change left over.

Just quietly, I reckon installing lifts down to the existing subway (like oxley, darra, nundah) would work out cheaper than digging a whole new subway and ramps....Less excavation, faster construction which saves money, and the lift shafts could just be a mini prefab steel tower which gets craned in.

[Old Northern Road]

Does anyone know if Geebung is getting lifts?

[petey3801]

Does anyone know if Geebung is getting lifts?

AFAIK, yes. There is a ped walkway being built on the City end of the platform at the moment, I assume it will have stairs and lifts to the platforms.

[Cam]

It's not fun pulling prams up stairs when the jolting activates the foot brake every second or third step which needs to be unlocked with your foot whilst you are balancing on a step. There is a risk of losing balance or knocking the pram off the step & falling down.

Mr Emerson use of the term "mothers" might offend some fathers & other carers who use prams at railway stations with stair-only access.

Chelmer, Graceville & Sherwood which were highlighted in the media last year as 3 stations in a row with stair-only access. Moorooka, Rocklea & Salisbury are also 3 stations in a row with stair-only access.

[HappyTrainGuy]

That's because the men just lift the pram up the stairs

[ozbob]

It's not fun pulling prams up stairs when the jolting activates the foot brake every second or third step which needs to be unlocked with your foot whilst you are balancing on a step. There is a risk of losing balance or knocking the pram off the step & falling down.

Mr Emerson use of the term "mothers" might offend some fathers & other carers who use prams at railway stations with stair-only access.

Chelmer, Graceville & Sherwood which were highlighted in the media last year as 3 stations in a row with stair-only access. Moorooka, Rocklea & Salisbury are also 3 stations in a row with stair-only access.

Indeed.  When the lifts were out at Goodna (8 months or so .. ) many near misses and some falls as folks attempted the pram polka up and down the stairs.

[Gazza]

Geebung always struck me as a weird one. It has a modern footbridge similar to other ones on the Caboolture line built at a similar time, yet it lacks the lifts.

No lift: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.368381,153.047189,3a,75y,172.79h,89.74t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1su6cozw0fTLW8_TrAg8kWDQ!2e0

Same design, with lifts:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.359124,153.037288,3a,75y,284.74h,91.23t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy-qXJhW8eIcXQHUKo6CfSQ!2e0

[HappyTrainGuy]

Geebung always struck me as a weird one. It has a modern footbridge similar to other ones on the Caboolture line built at a similar time, yet it lacks the lifts.

No lift: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.368381,153.047189,3a,75y,172.79h,89.74t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1su6cozw0fTLW8_TrAg8kWDQ!2e0

Same design, with lifts:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.359124,153.037288,3a,75y,284.74h,91.23t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy-qXJhW8eIcXQHUKo6CfSQ!2e0

Not so much so when you know what Geebung was like at the time and what its like now. The bus stop/disabled passenger drop off area was located next to the level crossing. For many many years the old bus shelter was left there. That stop has now been relocated to a narrow bit of pathway 50-60m away on Station Road (past the current overpass). The road layout has also changed IIRC. On Station Road you used to be able to turn right from the left hand lane but now the left hand lane is a left turn only. Because of the shops on the other side of the road prevented a bus stop being there the bus stop was located just before the lights on Newman Road. To access the station you just had to cross the road where there was pedestrian traffic lights to cross safely and used the level crossing to access the island platform or used the pathway to access the Station Road platform. That stop has now been relocated 60m or so down the road outside the RSL and another stop added 160m down the road past the overpass/new bus stop outside the station. Pretty sure the old bus indent bay is still there and is now used as a loading zone/30 min parking. The disabled parking bays have always been located in the car park closest to the level crossing. When the ped overpass was also built the only plans for a future overpass was a simple flat bridge over the tracks with a possibility to join onto the overpass from Robinson Road with a similar under and around road layout to what can be found at Loganlea. Lifts were planned for a later date.

Zillmere still has issues with its station layout compared to Geebung with trespassing to the north a common occurrence. Without a doubt because of this the 330 has been able to steal patronage due to the bus stops being located very close to this area. Geebung only had industrial buildings so people with disabilities were limited and trip factors was limited. That being said it would be helpful if a entrance was added to the Caboolture end of the Station road platform onto Station Road as opposed to walking to the middle of the platform where the only entry/exit is located (excluding the ped overpass).

[SurfRail]

Hopefully the new road alignment will be a bit of a blessing for bus/rail transfers at Geebung if the express stops are repositioned right at the station entrance in front of the shops.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Went past there on the weekend. Some of the installed bus stops are left to be desired. Good news is that it should be open and running before the end of the month from what I saw. Bad news is there is still a ton of side work to be done. Also the alignment of traffic coming off Newman Road onto Robinson Road could have been better done ie instead of a traffic light and extra traffic light cycle it should be a simple merge given the space that has already been used for the temp road. Outside the station more than likely they'll paint the yellow stops white or as I think they'll do is just leave the existing stops in place. No new or relocated 'xpress' stops.

Telegraph road is well under way. The Norris Road extension is also well underway too.  Work is also moving well ahead on the Norris Road/Telegraph Road intersection upgrade. Nothing yet of bus access between Bracken Ridge and Carseldine. The 330 should be rerouted through Bracken Ridge to use Carseldine station as a terminus.