Werribee train station is set to receive $300,000 worth of aesthetic and disability upgrades in coming months in a minor win for commuters.
Metro Trains representatives committed to upgrading the tactile paving on the platforms, re-tiling and re-asphalting works in a meeting with Wyndham council last week. Tactile paving is the orange and yellow plastic bumps on the ground which help people with vision-impairment know the edge of the platform is near.
There will also be new LCD passenger information displays, passenger intercoms with better audio quality, and a mechanical pusher to assist wheelchair users.
Metro spokesman Marcus Williams said the organisation had used feedback from the council and accessibility groups to prioritise works.
“We are absolutely committed to making sure the network is accessible for everyone to use safely and easily,” he said.
The commitment follows a Star Weekly story in August last year where the Rail, Tram and Bus Union called for an urgent upgrade of the tactile paving on Werribee train station’s platforms.
Councillor Mia Shaw, who attended the meeting, said the council had also highlighted the need to improve the cleaning and general maintenance regime and for signage to be increased at key locations.
“Whilst it may not be all the work we would like to see done, I believe the meeting was a step in the right direction,” she said.
“We understand that a significant investment will not be made in the short term whilst longer term decisions are made about the station in the context of the state government’s level crossing removal project and this makes sense, however we need to ensure that issues at the station are a priority.”
Cr Shaw said a submission would also be made to Myki asking them to consider relocating its readers to remove a bottleneck.
Meanwhile, western metropolitan MP Rachel-Carling Jenkins said she was keen to see the Werribee train station and Station Place forecourt spruced up. For the past two years, Ms Carling-Jenkins has called for $1 million to make the changes in her state government budget submission.
