{"id":140102,"date":"2024-10-15T08:04:53","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T22:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railexpress.com.au\/?p=117672"},"modified":"2024-10-15T08:04:53","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T22:04:53","slug":"more-than-just-a-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=140102","title":{"rendered":"More than just a building"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bell Station was moved 40 metres from the main road to create more open space for users. IMAGE: Victoria\u2019s big build<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Across the country, stations have become so much more than just a place to get on and off trains.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Train stations<\/a> have come a long way since the first station in Australia opened where Flinders Street station currently stands.<\/p>\n

The station first received passengers on the Sandridge Line (now Port Melbourne light rail) in 1854. The platform was 30 metres long and located alongside the fish market. It was updated in 1910 to the Flinders Street Station we know today.<\/p>\n

Flash forward to the recent Sydney Metro opening, Cross River Rail and Melbourne\u2019s level crossing removal projects, train stations have come a long way from being a simple structure designed to get people on and off trains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout Melbourne\u2019s level crossing removal projects, where possible, Victoria\u2019s Big Build has strived to add value for the local community and commuters.<\/p>\n

This has included creating as much new open space as possible, building new shared-use walking and cycling paths or commissioning public artwork.<\/p>\n

In the suburb of Preston, in Melbourne\u2019s north, an opportunity was identified to improve the whole area around the Bell station by moving it 40 metres away from the major thoroughfare of Bell Street.<\/p>\n

This created more open space for the community and paths that connect streets east and west, removing the former divide\u00a0between communities. The area also\u00a0features trees, seating and drinking\u00a0fountains, creating a welcome respite area for waiting train\u00a0passengers or\u00a0locals.<\/p>\n

Alicia Moran owns Arc Pilates on Oakover Road in Preston and said the new station and shared user path have improved her morning\u00a0commute.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m loving the new path and use it on my bike commute to work from Reservoir,\u201d she\u00a0said. \u201cThe space created under the railway is wonderful and it\u2019s much less stressful following that path to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Flinders Street is one of the most recognisable stations in the country but is so much more than just a station.<\/strong> IMAGE: Richie Chan\/stock.adobe.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The importance of good deign<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The Sydney Metro<\/a> City section opened in August to much fanfare. Six new stations were designed for this section and updates were made to existing stations.<\/p>\n

Architecture practice John McAslan + Partners (JMP) was engaged by John Holland to provide the architectural services for the Sydney Metro Waterloo Station.<\/p>\n

JMP director Troy Uleman leads the firm\u2019s Sydney studio and said the value of transport\u00a0led infrastructure to cities can\u2019t be\u00a0overstated.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuality design is key to realising the full potential of transport hubs as community\u00a0spaces that drive economic growth and\u00a0make\u00a0a positive impact socially,\u201d Uleman said.<\/p>\n

Beyond this, well-integrated stations add amenity to what exists, support businesses in the wider area and create places full of activity and life.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than just a place to pass through on your way from A to B, transport hubs should be uplifting social spaces that welcome the people they serve and are central to community life.<\/p>\n

\u201cA well-designed station precinct is an enjoyable place to be \u2013 to pause, grab a coffee and perhaps pick up essential supplies. Spatial planning, good architecture and the right mix of retail and hospitality create a great station precinct experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just the architectural design of the stations that is critical to ensuring ease for passengers. Sydney Metro is finding more ways to support the passenger experience.<\/p>\n

State-of-the-art technology will keep customers connected \u2013 from planning a journey from home using smart phone travel apps to real time information at metro stations and on-board trains.<\/p>\n

The modern stations will be fully accessible for people with a disability, prams and children, including level access between platforms and trains. Customer service assistants will be at every station and will move through the Sydney Metro network during the day and night.<\/p>\n

When customers arrive at Sydney Metro stations, there will be safe interchange whether they are walking, cycling, catching the bus, taxi, or being dropped off. Clear signage will direct customers to platforms, other modes of transport and destinations around the station.<\/p>\n

This door-to-door approach will help customers achieve their daily tasks, whether it\u2019s getting to work, meetings, school or education, sport, a day out or running errands \u2013 and of course, getting home.<\/p>\n

Stations making life simpler for passengers<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Research shows 11.87 million Australians aged 14+ used public transport at least once during the March quarter 2023.<\/p>\n

This is up more than 2.9 million from the 2022 March quarter and an increase of almost five million from the September 2020 quarter when only 6.88 million Australians\u00a0were using public transport at least once.<\/p>\n

These results show a number of passengers are returning to work and are utilising rail for their daily commute. This can pose challenges, particularly when it comes to running important errands.<\/p>\n

Queensland Rail is trialling a project to improve passenger experience and support its passengers. Customers can now pick up their parcels on their regular commute, with Australia Post Parcel Lockers available at select stations.<\/p>\n

In 2022-23 Australia Post delivered about half a billion parcels. Parcels that could not be delivered were sent on to the Post Office to be collected. The new parcel lockers means parcels can now be sent directly to the station as opposed to waiting to be collected from the Post Office.<\/p>\n

Queensland Rail acting general manager for station customer service, Drew Brock, said the organisation is committed to improving its amenities and enhancing the rail journey experience for customers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know in this busy world, convenience is important, and it can be frustrating to stay home waiting for a parcel to be delivered or to leave work early to try and pick it up from a post office,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to partner with Australia Post to offer customers an easy way to collect their parcels as part of their journey with us. We see a lot of potential for this initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a commercial perspective we are always interested in exploring opportunities that have the dual benefit of enhancing customer amenities and convenience that offers a commercial return that supports the cost of our operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Australia Post\u2019s free 24\/7 Parcel Lockers will be installed at Eagle Junction, Varsity Lakes, Carseldine, Central and Richlands stations as part of a 12-month trial.<\/p>\n

Australia Post executive general manager retail Josh Bannister said Australia Post is excited to partner with Queensland Rail and said the organisation is making it easier for commuters to collect deliveries while on the\u00a0go.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to invest in the state\u2019s transport network and support its partners with added convenience for customers,\u201d he\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

Making stations more accessible<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

More than 5.5 million Australians live with disabilities, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Making public transport accessible for this demographic is important to ensure all Australians have access to fast and reliable public transport.<\/p>\n

In New South Wales, the government is implementing the Safe Accessible Transport program to make public transport safe, inclusive and easy to use for all passengers, especially those with disabilities, older people, people with prams or luggage and others who may be experiencing mobility\u00a0problems.<\/p>\n

A total of $800.7 million over four years was allocated in the 2023-24 New South Wales Budget to implement the new program, which combines the funds of both the existing Transport Access Program (TAP) and Commuter Car Park Program (CCP) and includes an additional $300 million\u00a0commitment.<\/p>\n

The program will upgrade stations to achieve Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) compliance, improving amenity, access and safety and acknowledging the important role these locations have to the communities they serve.<\/p>\n

Transport for NSW determines the priority of upgrades using evidence-based criteria, including:<\/p>\n