Bell Station is the latest station on the rail network to be upgraded to premium status, and from today will be staffed from first to last train.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky today visited the station, and said the drive to upgrade and staff stations is part of a wider Government commitment to ensure people who travel on public transport reach their destination safely.
“The Brumby Government is thrilled by the growing number of premium stations and the safety and security benefits that these bring to people using the stations,” said Ms Kosky.
The upgraded Bell station will provide an enclosed waiting room with toilets, and be staffed from the first train in the morning to the last train at night.
“We’re seeing a record number of passenger trips on our rail network, and we know that extra staff presence is important to our passengers,” Ms Kosky said. “We’re seeing a record number of passenger trips on our rail network,
and we know that extra staff presence is important to our passengers.”
“The fact that we’ll have staff there for customer service, as well as improved passenger information displays and an enclosed waiting room with toilets, is great for anyone who uses the station.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve safety on the train network and in the last year alone we’ve seen premium stations opened at Darling, Mentone, Upfield and Watsonia. Later this year we’re looking forward to beginning an upgrade of Burnley station and we’re continuing work on Noble Park station.
“The 73 premium stations now located throughout Melbourne's suburban train network are evidence that the Brumby Government is taking passenger safety extremely seriously,” Ms Kosky said.
“I’m also pleased to announce safety at the station has also been boosted by improved CCTV cameras and white lighting, as well as duress buttons in case of emergency.”
The Brumby Government has allocated $27.7 million to upgrade selected metropolitan train stations to premium status.
Ms Kosky said Bell passengers who regularly use the Epping line should be aware of changes to the metropolitan train timetable in November which will clear bottlenecks on the network.
“We will be adding more services and some changes will occur but passengers should understand these are necessary to make the entire train network run more efficiently,” she said.
“Reliability will improve for Epping and Hurstbridge in November with both lines running one way through the City Loop removing a pressure point at Jolimont.”
More information on public transport improvements can be found at www.transport.vic.gov.au.