The NSW budget will include $133 million to upgrade at least 11 train stations with new lifts, ramps and footbridges under the state’s Transport Access Program.
The announcement, made on June 4, would bring overall funding for the Program to more than $2 billion, with the state reporting more than 90% of customer journeys will be made accessible under the announced funding.
“We are committed to making public transport accessible for customers with a disability, less mobile customers or customers using a pram,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
“When we came to government, public transport had been neglected, but we have now delivered or begun work on more than 450 improvements to train stations and ferry wharves, car parks, interchanges and bike sheds.”
The newly-announced funding is for accessibility upgrades at:
- North Strathfield
- Kingswood
- Hazelbrook
- Wyee
- Blayney
- Mittagong
- Clarendon
- Hawkesbury River
- Wahroonga
- Taree
- Roseville
It will also allow further progression of work at Glenbrook, Beecroft, Millthorpe and Como railway stations, the government said.
State transport minister Andrew Constance said the upgrades were a signature of the Liberal Government.
“Labor was only doing two access upgrades a year and it would have taken 90 years to upgrade all stations on the network,” Constance said. “We now have 173 of the 307 stations on the suburban and intercity networks accessible.”
ARA boss Danny Broad said the historic nature of many rail assets, particularly in Sydney, accessibility upgrades often come with a “hefty” price tag, and so more investment was welcome.
“Given rail’s importance as a transport service for all members of the community, accessibility is one of the highest priority issues for passenger rail operators nationally,” Broad said.