Central Station

[ozbob]

From the City News 12th May 2011 page 3

Central due for facelift

[O_128]

Ehhh doesnt look as good as my redesign 

[Gazza]

I kind of think it's unfair that Central is earmarked for an upgrade when there are so many stations with no wheelchair access and bare bones facilities.
As far as I'm concerned, central already has the "big 4" desirable features (toilets, lifts, go gates, PIDs) so the money should be spent putting these features in more stations, rather than spending it on what is mostly a cosmetic upgrade.
Besides, I can gauruntee you spending the money in this location won't increase patronage, so what's the point?

[Fares_Fair]

hmmm, (musing quietly to myself) who works above Central ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[O_128]

I dont agree, Central is the gateway to the city and it is a pathetic excuse for a station. Compared to Southern cross,flinders street, sydney central and even adelaide central station ours is a disgrace. The first thing tourists see is a station that has had bits and pieces tacked on for the past 30 years and is unable to handle pax.

[#Metro]

I prefer Roma Street station. It's just less claustrophobic. Central station is a dank dark dump which is very cramped for the number of passengers that have to use it. The concourse level is so tiny, do they really expect everyone to squeeze into that small space.

Bring on the upgrade!!! It would be nice to have a proper place for taxis as well.

[somebody]

The main thing I would want is more operating hours on the subway entrance/exit.

[Stillwater]

The immediate start on Cross River Rail would have created a new station at Albert Street and taken pressure off Central Station.  Now that CRR is in limbo, something had to be done to Central.  In peak periods, the upstairs concourse is too crowded and it is nowhere nearly as open, functional and spacious as principal stations at Sydney and Melbourne.  It maybe time to get rid of some of the cafes and eateries and placing these outside the ticket gate barriers.  That way people don't have to clock on with their go-card (and effectively begin their journey) only to spend time refreshing themselves.

[somebody]

The immediate start on Cross River Rail would have created a new station at Albert Street and taken pressure off Central Station.  Now that CRR is in limbo, something had to be done to Central.  In peak periods, the upstairs concourse is too crowded and it is nowhere nearly as open, functional and spacious as principal stations at Sydney and Melbourne.  It maybe time to get rid of some of the cafes and eateries and placing these outside the ticket gate barriers.  That way people don't have to clock on with their go-card (and effectively begin their journey) only to spend time refreshing themselves.

What is inside the gates on the concourse besides McDonalds, which also has a window outside?

Or did you mean the ones on the platforms?

[#Metro]

I think there is a pub, a travel agent, a bank and a cafe and a few, but these are outside.

I really would just like a nice big concourse. With all the crowds it just feels so cramped. And it is also so dark, what's with the lighting???

[Stillwater]

I mean the McDonalds and the two other concession outlets opposite - one a coffee and cake place and the other a health food and squeezed drinks franchise.

[Golliwog]

hmmm, (musing quietly to myself) who works above Central ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

QR National actually.

[SurfRail]

Fixing the tropical climate on platforms 1 and 2 would be nice.  Platform 1 gets blasted with heat exhaust from all the air-conditioning plant installed on the adjacent wall, and platform 2's suspended ceiling leaks even in a light squall (presumably one of the reasons why there has been a scaffold at the southern end for a few weeks now).

[Jonno]

I hope it also includes the removal of the car park on the northern end and replacement with a more open plaza.  I know it belowngs ot the Hotel above but stuff it. In San Francisco the hotel don't have their own parking they use commerical parking around them.  They need to get much more activity other than a bar, a McDonlads and a News agent into the area. This includes revitalising the space between Rail Centre 1 and Rail Centre 2. If that was a space was in Europe it would be full of restaurants, cafes, and activity.


I think an upgare is also a good idea as this is one of our key stations.  Of course frequency and hours should be first.  I am happy to have both and don't think there needs to be a compromise.

[dwb]

I kind of think it's unfair that Central is earmarked for an upgrade when there are so many stations with no wheelchair access and bare bones facilities.
As far as I'm concerned, central already has the "big 4" desirable features (toilets, lifts, go gates, PIDs) so the money should be spent putting these features in more stations, rather than spending it on what is mostly a cosmetic upgrade.
Besides, I can gauruntee you spending the money in this location won't increase patronage, so what's the point?

I tend to agree with Gazza, there are bigger fish to fry than Central at the moment, even though in the future capping Creek St end could be a great improvement for the station and surrounding area. Minor internal improvements to lighting ticketing gates and perhaps even trial installation of PSDs would rate more highly for me than major cosmetic surgery on the outside.

Further, QR has recently undertaken an accessibility report that seems to indicate that a greater spread of benefits to other stations should be the priority rather than a few major upgrades to major stations that already have reasonable facilities. This can be found http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5943.msg55530#msg55530

[Gazza]

I still think it's unfair though. The primary goal of station upgrades should be improving accessibility, with any other upgrades that come along with it just being a bonus.

I dont agree, Central is the gateway to the city and it is a pathetic excuse for a station. Compared to Southern cross,flinders street, sydney central and even adelaide central station ours is a disgrace. The first thing tourists see is a station that has had bits and pieces tacked on for the past 30 years and is unable to handle pax.

I don't think Southern Cross is a good example at all...It looks great, but despite the money spent they didn't fix up the platform layout where V/Line conflicts with Suburbans.
The duty of the Government shouldn't be wanky stuff like trying to have a monument like Sydney or Melbourne and making a good impression on tourists, it should be to improve things for people that have to use the network on a day to day basis.
It seems the US and Australia suffer from this syndrome where expensive/pretty looking stations take precedence over services and usability.

Have a look at the fairly  unpretty stations in Japan for instance, like Tokyo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tokyo-Station-2005-7-21_4.jpg
Or Shinjuku
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ShinjukuSta_1-5ofJR200505.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rush_hour_at_Shinjuku_02.JPG

Proves you can run a world renowned and successful rail network with stations that have shed roofs.

Actually, the first impression tourists will get when they come into Brisbane is either Roma Street (If arriving via XPT/Tilt etc) or the crappy string of stations like Albion,  Bowen Hills etc when coming from the Airport (Which they just waited 30 minutes and paid a bucket to board)

[colinw]

Sigh.



I agree something needs to be done, to fix the cramped "public amenity block" ambience of the place.  Using the air space at the north eastern end would help.

This is yet another example of the delay to CRR costing us.  The alternative inner city station would have helped take the pressure off Central.

[SurfRail]

Actually, the first impression tourists will get when they come into Brisbane is either Roma Street (If arriving via XPT/Tilt etc) or the crappy string of stations like Albion,  Bowen Hills etc when coming from the Airport (Which they just waited 30 minutes and paid a bucket to board)

There's a reason Eagle Junction is being tarted up. 

I'm less concerned about the aesthetics of Central and more about functionality.  Fixing the platform heights on platforms 1 through 4 must be the main objective to allow unaided access to trains.  (For that matter, even 5 & 6 seem to be a bit ess than ideal, although they are easier to fix.)

More - and more obvious - lift access is needed.  Woe betide somebody who tries to get in through the subway in a wheelchair or with luggage.  I've seen people struggling to find the lifts even inside the concourse if you can believe that.

The retail and other components are just window-dressing.  If the station doesn't work, then tarting it up is the same as whitening a tooth that actually needs a root-canal job.

[SteelPan]

My "MUSTS" for a NEW Look Central - NOT another tacky cheap patch job do over.

The old "Grand Station" has, for far too long, been overlooked while developers gave us their "visions" of 5 star pubs and plastic takeaways - both certainly have a place, but the new look station must make greater use of the fine old lady of Central wherever possible and develop a more sophisticated concourse level, where something better than "certain golden arches" dominate the visual landscape!  As ever - LARGER monitors and quality PA are a must.

[O_128]

My priorities are.
1.  Making the ann street stretch a shared zone
2. connecting anzac square
3. ripping apart the horrible concourse
4. covering the gap over the tracks with shops and park

[somebody]

I'm less concerned about the aesthetics of Central and more about functionality.  Fixing the platform heights on platforms 1 through 4 must be the main objective to allow unaided access to trains.  (For that matter, even 5 & 6 seem to be a bit ess than ideal, although they are easier to fix.)

Platforms 1-4 could use their opposite face while being fixed up, but try doing that with 5 & 6!  Look at the close downs at Indooroopilly and Fortitude Valley.  They went on for ages.

My priorities are.
1.  Making the ann street stretch a shared zone
2. connecting anzac square
3. ripping apart the horrible concourse
4. covering the gap over the tracks with shops and park

Anzac Square is already connected.  It's just that the subway isn't open evenings/weekends.  I'm not sure about daytimes.

I don't think a reduction in trafficability of Ann St would be happening this decade!

[justanotheruser]

I mean the McDonalds and the two other concession outlets opposite - one a coffee and cake place and the other a health food and squeezed drinks franchise.

Have they removed the outside entrances to these places?  When I last looked they were still there which was earlier this year they still had outside entrances.  For most people it will make no difference if they touch on and sit down before their journey but if it makes that big a difference they do have the option.

[justanotheruser]

I dont agree, Central is the gateway to the city and it is a pathetic excuse for a station. Compared to Southern cross,flinders street, sydney central and even adelaide central station ours is a disgrace. The first thing tourists see is a station that has had bits and pieces tacked on for the past 30 years and is unable to handle pax.

a more accurate sydney comparison would be town hall and wynyard. Wynyard is an awful station to which I would take central brisbane anyday. Town Hall is well designed to get people out but some platforms are rather cramped.


Good to see toowong is getting a much needed upgrade although to fix it properly they need to get more space which I don't see happening.

[O_128]

I'm less concerned about the aesthetics of Central and more about functionality.  Fixing the platform heights on platforms 1 through 4 must be the main objective to allow unaided access to trains.  (For that matter, even 5 & 6 seem to be a bit ess than ideal, although they are easier to fix.)

Platforms 1-4 could use their opposite face while being fixed up, but try doing that with 5 & 6!  Look at the close downs at Indooroopilly and Fortitude Valley.  They went on for ages.

My priorities are.
1.  Making the ann street stretch a shared zone
2. connecting anzac square
3. ripping apart the horrible concourse
4. covering the gap over the tracks with shops and park

Anzac Square is already connected.  It's just that the subway isn't open evenings/weekends.  I'm not sure about daytimes.

I don't think a reduction in trafficability of Ann St would be happening this decade!

Look up jan gehl, there is s picture of his idea of ann street. Its basically keeping the same traffic etc but making the crossing look like the footpath and with longer green lights thus discouraging traffic, i quite like wynyard if only for its wooden escalators. though a revamp would do it wonders.

[SteelPan]

To be fair, Wynyard of itself - is nothing - it's an underground train station, that's it!  If it's functionality is limited, well blame the latest makover it got - whenever that was, it is though only an underground station.

Brisbane Central, is a totally different creature, it is a station with real history, in the classic style that was butchered with the early 1980's Sheraton Hotel development - the State, ie, the people of Queensland, should embrace the opportunity to see it returned to its correct standing - the fact it has, for so many years, just sat there, little used with parts closed off and a patch-work of bizarre inner working, is a sad insight into the lack of real pride QR has, in both itself and its OWN heritage and more widely, the people of Brisbane for not long ago kicking up a fuss.

Sorry, but it's true.  Interesting bit of info, ask any New Yorker that little outposts greatest mistake - most common answer, letting the LEGENDARY, MAGNIFICENT PENN STATION be pulled down to make way for ugly Maddison Square Garden - we have not committed (amazingly) such a grave sin, now is the time to make our wrong regards Central Station - right!

[Jonno]

Been in Montreal and got to see their Central Station as well.  Also seen some great stations in my time and thier greatness comes their Grandure, Sesnse of space and vibrant/commerical nature.  Teur not just a station but a hub of activity. 

Our Central Station has the opportunity to create an active and virant commerical centre that also function as as a train station.  The Hotel above does limit the design somewhat but there is still an opportunity to create a fantastic communter and CBD employee experience.  The key is to use the height available enough to create this environment...and get rid of the car park at the northern end.

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Halles,_Central_train_station,_Montreal_2006-01-09.JPG
farm1.static.flickr.com/52/191997229_d35fc199d1.jpg
http://cdn.wn.com/pd/ba/2c/b7acdf07df24c52084c1112ac246_grande.jpg

[ozbob]

http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/details/1370318968

Redevelopments for an improved Central station

From Tuesday 11 June, you'll start to notice some big changes at Central train station as Queensland Rail's $5 million station redevelopment project gets underway.

Once the redevelopment is finished, the improved station will have:

    improved access with eighteen new fare gates (double the number of gates currently at the station), including four new wide-access gates
    better security with upgraded lighting and closed circuit television (CCTV), and new roller shutters to secure the station when it's closed
    a brand new ticket window inside the station.

Central is one of the busiest stations on the network, with more than 80 000 customers travelling through every day. The redevelopment will help customers flow smoothly through the station and maximise the space in the concourse area.

[Golliwog]

From the other thread where I posted this originally, I'm copying this here fore completeness:

Queensland and TransLink are redeveloping the Central station concourse to improve customer flow and cater for growing patronage.

Key features include:

- Doubling the amount of fare gates at the station from 18 to 36
- a new ticket office in the adjacent heritage building
- a new customer service window within Central station
- security improvements including upgraded lighting and closed circuit television above the new fare gates.

The additional fare gates will be installed near the existing ticket office, and at the entrance from Edward Street.

While these works will provide an additional four wide access gates, this project will not involve platform raising.

Also, I've noted at the platform exits down to ANZAC square, there are now signs stating that these will be for go card access only, paper tickets must use the upper concourse entrance/exit. No date on the signs, so I expect this is effective now.

[nathandavid88]

One of the things the QR link to the upgrade mentions is that:

Queensland Rail will undertake preliminary works from June 2013, involving the demolishment of an unused building at the Edward Street entrance.

What building is there at the Edward Street entrance to demolish?

They've certainly got their work cut out for them with heritage station buildings at the moment. Roma Street Station was still covered in scaffolding last I saw it, the latest works on South Brisbane station begin this month to rectify the termite damage in the roof trusses and finish the facade works, and now there's this work at Central.

[Derwan]

Demolishment? Don't they mean demolition? 

[nathandavid88]

That's what I thought too, but apparently demolishment is a real, albeit rather redundant word. Go figure 

[Golliwog]

Looks like the Ticketmaster (or whatever the ticket sales place was inside the station) might be going. Either that or becoming the internal PT ticket vendor.

[nathandavid88]

I think that might become the customer service window that they mention. Apparently the current ticket office will also be removed, with a new one installed into the heritage part of the station. Exactly how this is going to work, I'm not exactly sure. I don't think the arch doors into the rear section are original, so maybe they'll cut another new opening into the rear wall of the original station?

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail 6m

Heads up commuters – Central station is getting a facelift! Works start tomorrow on the $5 million... http://fb.me/2ti5y2Rog

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail

Edward St fare gates @ Central station closed until early 2014 while we upgrade station. $5million redevelopment will improve customer flow.

[ozbob]

Note:

Between 29 September and 7 November 2014, a section of the tunnel that connects Central Station to Anzac Square (park) will be closed.

See Anzac Square restoration

--> http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-venues/parks/parks-suburb/brisbane-city-parks/anzac-square-restoration

[ozbob]

^





Thanks to Fares_Fair pics

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/904856979532663

Central Station pedestrian tunnel access through to Anzac Square will close for refurbishment from next Saturday 27 December until late January 2015. Access from the tunnel to Wickham Street and Ann Street will remain open. We appreciate your patience as we undertake these essential works. http://bne.cc/1ynNEW6

[BrizCommuter]

Despite all the work, Central still looks distinctly 1980s.

[Stillwater]

Yep, agree.  And the rehash won't cope with projected growth in passenger numbers beyond about 2020, which must be driving some of the CRR/BaT thinking.