Ministerial Statement: Facelift for Ipswich train stations

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
30/07/2010

Facelift for Ipswich train stations

Ipswich commuters will reap the benefits of the State Government's commitment to train station upgrades across the TransLink network with works to begin at Bundamba, Dinmore, Ebbw Vale and Riverview stations.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan and Member for Bundamba Jo Ann Miller today announced the stations would receive funding for upgrades.

Ms Nolan said Dinmore and Bundamba train stations were to be revamped under the State Government's $200 million Rail Station Renovation program.

"These two stations are extremely popular amongst commuters and work is expected to begin over the coming months," Ms Nolan said.

"The scope of works is currently being finalised - $1.1 million in funding has been allocated for upgrades to Bundamba station and $750,000 for Dinmore station."

"Works to be carried out at Bundamba include the painting of the heritage-listed shelter on platform two, extensive landscaping, a drop-off zone and LCD screens displaying service information."

"While at Dinmore, upgrades include improvements to wheelchair accessibility, painting of the heritage-listed station building and LCD screens."

Ms Nolan said the work was being funded as part of the State Government's record $200 million allocation to upgrade almost one-third of train stations across South East Queensland.

"The program is the biggest upgrade since services began in the 1860s and will give these stations a fresh new look," she said.

Ms Miller said an additional $400,000 in funding would be allocated to Riverview and Ebbw Vale train stations for platform refurbishing and resurfacing work.

"I'm pleased our area has got its fair share in this record spend on the South East Queensland network," Ms Miller said.

"These upgrades will provide a better and safer experience for passengers."

"Platform improvement works are expected to commence at Ebbw Vale station next month, followed by works at Riverview station in September."

"Workers will improve the platform surface at the stations before taking the final step of the new bitumen seal."

"Trains will not be delayed during the works, which will primarily occur outside peak travel times."

"It's important we make improvements to Ebbw Vale train station with the new CitiSwich Business Park at Bundamba expected to employ about 5000 people once it's complete."

"The new Hoepner Road now under construction in the business park, between Brisbane Road and the Warrego Highway at Dinmore, may also prompt large increases in people using Ebbw Vale train station."

Ms Nolan said patronage on the Ipswich line continued to grow with more than 14,500 trips made during peak times each day in the first quarter of this year.

"Already we have upgraded the park 'n' ride at Dinmore train station with the first stage of the $3 million works opened this week," Ms Nolan said.

"Once completed, the additional 230 car parks will almost double the 260 existing spaces currently available."

Queensland Rail and TransLink will work with the construction teams to minimise disruptions for customers during transformation works.

For further details on public transport, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30.

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[ButFli]

So what, an LCD screen showing the next train is half an hour away? Real useful that is.

[colinw]

And a coat of paint at Bundamba. 

[mufreight]

Riverview needs demolition and a complete reconstruction, the up platform is impossibly low for the residents from the Riverview Gardens home and the footbridge is beyond the ability of many to negotiate.
The answer at Riverview is a realignment of the line to remove two speed restricted curves and the construction of new platforms to this new alignment with the platforms raised to enable the elderly and infirm to access the trains without personal risk of injury.
At Dinmore they have just constructed an enlarged car park that now leaves no room for the future construction of a third or fourth track being less than 2m from the platform face that was provided for an additional track many years ago when the station was rebuilt fo the 1950's electrification.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Train station upgrades starting

Train station upgrades starting

2nd August 2010

IPSWICH train stations are set to receive a facelift with the state government committing to upgrades across the TransLink network with works to begin at Bundamba, Dinmore, Ebbw Vale and Riverview.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said Dinmore and Bundamba train stations were to be revamped under the state government's $200 million rail station renovation program.

"These two stations are extremely popular amongst commuters and work is expected to begin over the coming months," Ms Nolan said.

"The scope of works is currently being finalised, $1.1 million in funding has been allocated for upgrades to Bundamba station and $750,000 for Dinmore station."

Works to be carried out at Bundamba include the painting of a heritage-listed shelter, a drop-off zone and LCD screens displaying service information.

At Dinmore, upgrades include improvements to wheelchair accessibility, painting of the heritage-listed station building and LCD screens.

An additional $400,000 in funding will be allocated to Riverview and Ebbw Vale train stations for platform refurbishing and resurfacing work.

Platform improvement works are expected to commence at Ebbw Vale next month, followed by works at Riverview in September.

Ms Nolan said patronage on the Ipswich line continued to grow with more than 14,500 trips made during peak times each day in the first quarter of this year.

[Golliwog]

From QR website:http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/Pages/CityNetworkStationUpgradeproject.aspx

City Network Station Upgrade project

It's time for a facelift

Queensland Rail is undertaking the biggest upgrade of South East Queensland's train stations since services began in the 1860s.

Around 50 of the most heavily patronised stations - almost one-third of all our train stations - will receive some form of upgrade in the $200 million station upgrade program.

These upgrades will ensure that train stations are better equipped to meet the needs of the 65 million passengers Queensland Rail carries each year. The station upgrades will deliver increased levels of safety, security and convenience for customers.

What will change?

The upgrades will vary depending on need and will include:

New lifts or escalators	New ticket offices
Expanded car parks	Station building painting
Access improvements to meet disability standards	Platform refurbishments
Restoration of historic buildings	Platform raising to meet the train floor level
Toilet upgrades	Car park extensions at 10 stations
LCD screens displaying service information	Other general refurbishments

       
Upgrades

Stations selected for the upgrade were chosen according to a number of factors including patronage, their current condition and station accessibility.

Stations such as Narangba, Alderley, Eagle Junction, South Brisbane, Caboolture, Chelmer and Sandgate are earmarked for major upgrades.

Major station upgrades at Darra and Oxley will be complete later this year. A new station at Richlands will open in early 2011 and a new station at Ferny Grove will be complete in 2012.

The stations below will have renovations or upgrades completed or commenced in the next 12 months:

Alderley	Chelmer	Loganlea	South Bank
Bald Hills	Coorparoo	Morayfield	South Brisbane
Banyo	Corinda	Morningside	Taringa
Beenleigh	Deagon	Murarrie	Toombul
Birkdale	Dinmore	Narangba	Toowong
Bowen Hills	Eagle Junction	Newmarket	Woodridge
Bray Park	Enoggera	Ormiston	Wooloowin
Buranda	Graceville	Petrie	Yeerongpilly
Burpengary	Hemmant	Sandgate	Yeronga
Caboolture	Ipswich	Shorncliffe	Zillmere

[Mozz]

Darra..... Oxley.... didn't make the list but extensive upgrades going on at these stations.

[Golliwog]

They weren't in the list at the bottom, but are mentioned in the upgrades section.

[mufreight]

From QR website:http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/Pages/CityNetworkStationUpgradeproject.aspx

City Network Station Upgrade project

It's time for a facelift

These upgrades will ensure that train stations are better equipped to meet the needs of the 65 million passengers Queensland Rail carries each year. The station upgrades will deliver increased levels of safety, security and convenience for customers.

What will change?

The upgrades will vary depending on need and will include:

New lifts or escalators	New ticket offices
Expanded car parks	Station building painting
Access improvements to meet disability standards	Platform refurbishments
Restoration of historic buildings	Platform raising to meet the train floor level
Toilet upgrades	Car park extensions at 10 stations
LCD screens displaying service information	Other general refurbishments

       
Upgrades

Stations selected for the upgrade were chosen according to a number of factors including patronage, their current condition and station accessibility.

Stations such as Narangba, Alderley, Eagle Junction, South Brisbane, Caboolture, Chelmer and Sandgate are earmarked for major upgrades.

Major station upgrades at Darra and Oxley will be complete later this year. A new station at Richlands will open in early 2011 and a new station at Ferny Grove will be complete in 2012.

The stations below will have renovations or upgrades completed or commenced in the next 12 months:

Alderley	Chelmer	Loganlea	South Bank
Bald Hills	Coorparoo	Morayfield	South Brisbane
Banyo	Corinda	Morningside	Taringa
Beenleigh	Deagon	Murarrie	Toombul
Birkdale	Dinmore	Narangba	Toowong
Bowen Hills	Eagle Junction	Newmarket	Woodridge
Bray Park	Enoggera	Ormiston	Wooloowin
Buranda	Graceville	Petrie	Yeerongpilly
Burpengary	Hemmant	Sandgate	Yeronga
Caboolture	Ipswich	Shorncliffe	Zillmere

Finally there is acknowledgement that platform heights need to be raised to carriage floor height to improve access not only for the disabled yet new and refurbished platforms at Darra, Oxley and Indooroopilly have or are being constructed below carriage floor height.

[Jonno]

Bank the car park extensions at the 10 stations and put it towards useful upgrades at either the same stations or more stations.  More car parks are just a waste of money... MY MONEY!!!

[#Metro]

How about proper feeder buses and interchange space as close to the platform as possible?

I personally don't take much notice of these media releases anymore. Unless it has the word "frequency increase" we can have the best looking trains, uniforms, LCD screens, internet on the train, state-of-the-art stations with public artworks from world renown artists etc, but if the train still comes every 30 minutes off peak, then I am not interested.

[Golliwog]

It mentions Sandgate recieving a major upgrade: perhaps to remove the safeworking issue? This would increase the capacity of the Shorncliffe line, or at least make it easier to run on, wouldn't it?

[Emmie]

I imagine a major upgrade for Sandgate would involve refitting platform 2, which is currently barely used, and upgrading the bridge. Currently there is no need for lifts, as trains in both directions leave from platform 1, but increased frequency would make this a priority. The bus interchange is pretty good already.

[Derwan]

Shorncliffe is also on the list.  Second platform???

[colinw]

Shorncliffe is also on the list.  Second platform???

A coat of paint + 27 press releases more likely. 

[Golliwog]

Perhaps these are questions worth asking QR? Given their customer service rating I think they should be able to say what it is they have planned for most of the stations.

[Golliwog]

Ebbw Vale station wasn't on the list, but this was on the Translink website:

Ebbw Vale station platform resurfacing

Where Brisbane Road, Ebbw Vale
Investment $200 000
Start 24 August 2010 
Finish 24 September 2010
Contact us Phone 3235 1516
Email passengerprojects@qr.com.au

What the improvements will provide
•Resurfacing of platforms and the installation of ground tactiles, providing a safer waiting area for customers.
•Improvements to station facilities and fencing.

[mufreight]

Could they raise the platform level at Ebbw Vale by about 150mm when they resurface it, particularly the down side platform which would enable the oldies to get on or off the train without an exercise in mountain climbing as is the case now.

[O_128]

 Here's why no one uses the toowong subway.

[kw]

I imagine a major upgrade for Sandgate would involve refitting platform 2, which is currently barely used, and upgrading the bridge. Currently there is no need for lifts, as trains in both directions leave from platform 1, but increased frequency would make this a priority.

Currently platform 2 at Sandgate has no wheelchair access whatsoever, only stairs at either end of the platform. I agree Emmie. If there is going to be more frequency in the future, a lift will be needed.

[Emmie]

Here's why no one uses the toowong subway.

Thanks for this, O_128, I've always wondered!  But nonetheless it looks like it could be made viable again, with decent lighting and CCTV. Don't think I'd use it after dark though.

[O_128]

No one uses it in the day  , It needs maybe bright tiling and some very bright lighting introduced.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, I've used that underpass before, very much on the dodgey looking side of things. Half the reason no one uses it though its its location, it doesn't really connect in very well with the station and the surrounds. Plus with the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights there it hardly saves time and half the time will take longer. If it was upgraded though, wouldn't it have to meet the disability discrimination act criteria so have either a ramp or elevator at each end?

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Interesting this thread  in view of this yarn ..
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Queensland Times --> Crowded Dinmore station target of railway upgrade