Article: Anger as Queensland Rail pulls the plug on water fountains

[p858snake]

Keepera's is/has going back in, It's now out in the middle of the platform in the sun compared to up against the station masters door. I wonder what the security camera coverage for its new position is like.

Does Ferny have one since the rebuild? (And the vending machine with nothing but water and powerade doesn't count )

[Golliwog]

Keepera's is/has going back in, It's now out in the middle of the platform in the sun compared to up against the station masters door. I wonder what the security camera coverage for its new position is like.

Does Ferny have one since the rebuild? (And the vending machine with nothing but water and powerade doesn't count )

Pretty sure it has one. Over near the big concrete pillar near the toilets/cycle cage.

[ozbob]

Goodna and Chelmer have nice new blue bubblers, and noted a nice bright yellow one at Gailes (platform 2) yesterday ...  our bubblers overflow'eth ...

[Golliwog]

Goodna and Chelmer have nice new blue bubblers, and noted a nice bright yellow one at Gailes (platform 2) yesterday ...  our bubblers overflow'eth ...

Theres one on P2/3 at Park Road as well. Too bad the water pressure is so low you nearly have to suck on the nozzle to get water in your mouth...

[Fares_Fair]

Can the Sunshine Coast line order some duplicated water fountains please?
#2tracks

[verbatim9]

Goodna and Chelmer have nice new blue bubblers, and noted a nice bright yellow one at Gailes (platform 2) yesterday ...  our bubblers overflow'eth ...

Theres one on P2/3 at Park Road as well. Too bad the water pressure is so low you nearly have to suck on the nozzle to get water in your mouth...

Yeah I have used the one at Park Road, "no good". When it gets fixed/upgraded they need a dual tap filtered bubbler to refill bottles. Less plastic waste on the tracks

[Stillwater]

http://aquafil.com.au/product/aquafil-water-bottle-refill-station-with-water-bubbler/

Now THAT'S a water bubbler.   

[ozbob]

These could be the go, so to speak.  The woofers could have drink too!  (security dogs)



We need a campaign!!   

[ozbob]

Many colours > http://www.mostdependable.com/products.php?category=Bottle%20Fillers&model=235



eg.

These have ' bottle filler ' option as well  ...

WE WANT!  WE WANT!! 

[ozbob]

From newsbytes click here!

Anger as Queensland Rail pulls the plug on water fountains

Anger as Queensland Rail pulls the plug on water fountains
By Melissa Archer — Wednesday, May 9, 2012 

Commuters in need of water are being forced to go thirsty following the removal of water fountains across the Queensland Rail network.

Bubblers that were standard at stations are being quietly dismantled with no consultation with rail users.

Thirsty travellers and an advocacy group have blasted the secret policy.

Catherine Stokes (pictured left), a commuter on the Cleveland line, said it was "a shame" QR were removing water fountains from platforms.

"You can't always afford to buy a bottle of water from the vending machines, and sometimes you just need a quick drink to rehydrate before getting on your train," Ms Stokes said.

Other users of the bubblers said they were surprised and angry that the water had been cut off. Many people – including some QR staff – were observed drinking from existing bubblers, or refilling their personal drink bottles.

A Queensland Rail spokesperson said bubblers were a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and also a public health hazard if misused.

"For these reasons, Queensland Rail will not be repairing or replacing any water fountains which are damaged or vandalised," the spokesperson said.

However it is not only vandalised bubblers that have been removed. Water fountains have disappeared from stations undergoing renovation.

QR said thirsty commuters could ask station staff for a free bottle of water – but as QR hasn't advertised this service, very few people know about it.

Mr Dow ... removal of bubblers "a serious concern"

And public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track says stations are insufficiently staffed for it to be successful.

"A lot of the stations are completely unstaffed, and the stations which do have staff are usually only for a short period of time in peak hours, so how do people get water outside of those hours?" Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said.

"People often have to wait long periods of time in hot conditions and having access to free drinking water is extremely important," he said.

A retired medical science academic, Mr Dow said having free water available was vital in south-east Queensland, which had some of the worst train frequency times in the world.

"It's a pretty serious health and safety issue when people can't get water when they need it, and there is potential concern for people finding themselves in distress."

Mr Dow said Rail Back on Track was also concerned about the lack of public toilets at train stations.

"With a growing elderly population this is a serous concern, and it's actually discouraging people from using public transport because if they find themselves in distress they will have nowhere to go," he said.

"People do need the confidence that basic amenities will be available and also that if they need

One of the free water bottles handed out by QR staff to people who ask - but how many people know?
a drink of water they can get one – it's not a big ask.

"This is a classic example where QR have completely disregarded their customers' safety. What if someone diabetic needed these amenities at a station which had none?"

Mr Dow called on the government to reverse the QR policy and reinstate water fountains across the network.

"The Minister for Transport actually needs to intervene here and get water fountains operational again, particularly on new stations like Darra," he said.

Marvellous yarn this one. I particularly liked this ..


"People often have to wait long periods of time in hot conditions and having access to free drinking water is extremely important," he said.

A retired medical science academic, Mr Dow said having free water available was vital in south-east Queensland, which had some of the worst train frequency times in the world ... "

[Stillwater]

I particularly like the models where the water that doesn't make it to the mouths of humans trickles down to a 'doggy bowl' before draining away.  Use the water twice!  It is the closest thing to humans and dogs sharing the same drinking bowl.

[verbatim9]

Many colours > http://www.mostdependable.com/products.php?category=Bottle%20Fillers&model=235



eg.

These have ' bottle filler ' option as well  ...

WE WANT!  WE WANT!! 

Be good just to have these at premium stations. Caboolture, Nambour, Helensvale, Indooroopilly, Ipswich, Southbank to Bowen Hills etc.... and have them closed behind a roller door between midnight and 6am

[verbatim9]

http://aquafil.com.au/product/aquafil-water-bottle-refill-station-with-water-bubbler/

Now THAT'S a water bubbler.   

They have one of these at UQ. Leading the sustainable lead! Steven Miles Mp can be the man to ask to install more of these around the PT Network and the state.

[verbatim9]

@ Roma St Parklands Free Filtered or paid sparkling Byo Bottle or buy one from the Vending before you fill 👍

[red dragin]

@ Roma St Parklands Free Filtered or paid sparkling Byo Bottle or buy one from the Vending before you fill 👍

Saw inside that one day recently, some decent filters inside. Water is clean and cool (not cold).

A good idea but I doubt they'd make any money (and therefore pay the rent on bus platforms etc).