5 Jul 2011: SEQ: $200 million dollar station upgrades welcome but more needed

[ozbob]

Media release 5 July 2011

SEQ: $200 million dollar station upgrades welcome but more needed

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers welcomes Queensland Rail's $200 million Station Upgrade Program but further funding is needing to make more stations fully compliant for disabled access (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Queensland Rail is to be applauded for its decision to invest in infrastructure and upgrade some of its stations on the suburban network.  As part of the upgrade and revitalisation works, many of the stations are receiving passenger information display screens which can provide real time information on how the trains are running as well as communicating other vital information to customers such as track work or network delays."

"Of concern though is that the upgrade of some of the stations to allow full wheelchair access is not funded.  Graceville and Newmarket stations are receiving a new accessible ticket window (2,3) yet both stations will remain inaccessible to wheelchairs unless further works are undertaken (4).  Yeronga station will not be upgraded to provide wheelchair access to the inbound platform even though it is a short distance from a TAFE college (4,5).  Buranda station will still be left without a direct accessible link between each platform despite being an important interchange point with the South East Busway (4,6,7).  Wheelchairs interchanging from the busway station to an outbound Cleveland line train will still have to deviate via the ramps to and from Logan Road."

"Queensland Rail is to be commended on its engagement with the Disabled Community and continued work to improve access, but unless further funding is forthcoming, access to many stations will still be restricted for some."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

References:

1.  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/default.aspx

2.  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/GracevilleStationUpgrade.aspx

3.  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/NewmarketStationUpgrade.aspx

4.  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AllStations/Documents/Disability_Access_Guide_All_QR_Stations.pdf

5.  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/YerongaStationUpgrade.aspx

6.  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/BurandaStationUpgrade.aspx

7.  http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/maps/busway-station/090501-buranda.pdf