Article: Caulfield railway station, where you come for the train but stay ...

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Caulfield railway station, where you come for the train but stay for the food

Caulfield railway station, where you come for the train but stay for the food
DEBORAH GOUGH
May 23, 2010

DETAILS of Metro Trains' proposed $2.5 million revamp of Caulfield railway station reveal the operator plans to transform it from a transit hub into a dining destination complete with restaurant, cafe and airport-style lounge.

The Sunday Age has been told the plans, which are before Heritage Victoria, are aimed at not only making the station more attractive, but at improving safety for commuters.

Metro Trains spokesman Chris Whitefield said attracting diners to the station, not just busy commuters, would increase the overall perception of safety for late-night passengers.

The bustling station, which is on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Frankston lines and adjacent to the Caulfield campus of Monash University, has been blighted by a number of late-night assaults.

Details of the revamp follow the announcement last year of Metro's Bringing Stations to Life program.

Mr Whitefield said Caulfield station was an ideal candidate. Eateries at the station could expect patronage from local residents and from the 10,000 university students who use the stop every week, he said.

''We want it to be a place for people to have dinner and enjoy lingering at the station, because the food is good, not necessarily because they have a train to catch,'' Mr Whitefield said.

If the venture proved successful Metro would consider redeveloping other stations. Mr Whitefield said Metro had assessed all railway stations for their suitability for shops and cafes, but had found that coffee carts worked better at most stations.

A spokesman for the Public Transport Users Association, Daniel Bowen, said retail and food outlets should not be seen as an alternative to staffing stations to improve security.

Metro will put the project out to tender and hopes building work will begin in the coming months.

[Golliwog]

This is a great idea. Sure its more expensive than staffing stations, but you get a far better social outcome. As a society we should be encouraging these sorts of solutions. Think outside the square.

[longboi]

This is a great idea. Sure its more expensive than staffing stations, but you get a far better social outcome. As a society we should be encouraging these sorts of solutions. Think outside the square.

Its not even thinking outside of the square and thats the sad thing. MTR have done this since their inception and now they've brought it to Melbourne. Hopefully the rest of the country will cotton on pretty soon.

[Golliwog]

Well its kind of thinking outside the square when you consider how narrow a field of thinking they usually have.

[#Metro]

If the venture proved successful Metro would consider redeveloping other stations. Mr Whitefield said Metro had assessed all railway stations for their suitability for shops and cafes, but had found that coffee carts worked better at most stations.

A spokesman for the Public Transport Users Association, Daniel Bowen, said retail and food outlets should not be seen as an alternative to staffing stations to improve security.

This will improve security through making it a lively place with lots of people. Where are the Brisbane coffee carts at train stations? Roma St, Central and Fortitude valley, but places like Indooroopilly, Beenleigh etc would make a killing selling coffee.

I don't agree with the PTUA about staffing stations to improve security. If security is what is wanted, they should get security guards, dogs and patrols not general ticketing rail staff.