Public transport is relied on by many in NSW in their daily commute to work, school, university or other commitments.
As anyone who has caught a train or bus during peak hours knows, stations can often become very busy places, as hurried commuters descend on a central location from all directions.
A challenge for station operators is to ensure that the areas around the station are both accessible and safe for all commuters.
In the fast environment of a busy transport centre, there can be an increased likelihood of people slipping or falling, and being injured as a result.
If someone suffers a pedestrian injury in a transport station, it may be that the design of station walkways or other infrastructure is at fault.
If this is the case, the injured party may be entitled to public liability compensation. Personal injury lawyers can evaluate the merits of any claim.
Naturally, no one wants to find themselves in this position, and NSW commuters may be happy to hear that a project is currently underway to improve their experience at stations.
The NSW government has announced that work will soon begin on two more transport stations as part of its $770 million Transport Access Program.
Upgrades of Campsie and Auburn stations will commence shortly, with construction contracts expected to be awarded over the coming weeks. Planning documents will also soon be released for an upgrade at Bankstown station.
“The program is all about investment to make public transport more attractive and improve access for the elderly and people with a disability,” minister for transport Gladys Berejiklian said in a statement released yesterday (January 31).
The Transport Access Program aims to make stations accessible to the disabled, the elderly and parents with prams.
It also aims to make several safety improvements to stations. These include extra lighting, help points, and fences and security measures for car parks.
Ms Berejiklian says that with the plans for Bankstown station soon to be made public, it is a great opportunity for the public to voice their opinions.
She said that the work proposed includes the installation of new stairs, ramps and ticket barriers. These will make areas around the station more accessible and will minimise bottlenecks during busy travel times.
“Together with widening of the existing stairs, these proposed works will improve customer safety and allow commuters to move more freely through the station concourse and out to the bus interchange,” said Ms Berejiklian.
