Boronia station: commuters call for upgrades

“Disgusting” lifts and toilets head a list of complaints from commuters who are calling for upgrades at Boronia station. But there may be some relief in sight, with safety and parking improvements planned.

Commuters are calling for upgrades to Boronia train station. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Commuters are calling for urgent upgrades to Boronia train station, with “disgusting” lifts and toilets and not enough carparking topping the list of complaints.

Bayswater state Labor MP Jackson Taylor recently invited Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne to visit the station to hear some of the communities’ concerns.

On Knox Leader’s Facebook page Annette Saunders said the station’s lift was “always disgusting”, and suggested an escalator instead of stairs would be a good addition.

She said the toilets also needed a major overhaul and more regular cleaning.

“They are horrible,” she said.

Colin Clay said the station needed “a steam clean and painting at least”.

“It really is uninviting,” he said.

Knoxfield’s Tamara said parking was a big issue.

She said the bathroom facilities were “not wonderful” and the lift was subject to a lot of vandalism.

The Boronia station lift.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said it was essential train stations were well maintained so that everybody could feel confident using them.

Metro spokesman Andrew Nelson said it had a comprehensive cleaning schedule at Boronia station that included twice-daily cleaning and litter removal, including in the toilets, which were open from first to last service every day.

The female toilets were recently vandalised and had to undergo repairs and cleaning, but have now been reopened.

The female toilets have now been reopened after recent vandalism.

Mr Taylor said upgrades had been made at the station, including to the PA system and passenger information displays and CCTV cameras were also going to be upgraded.

Mr Taylor said he would continue working closely with commuters and Ms Horne to make sure the community had the best station possible.

MORE: PLAN TO ESTABLISH POP-UP PARK IN BORONIA CRITICISED

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TRAIN STATIONS TO GET $15 MILLION CARPARKS

State Government spokesman Matt Macklin said the safety of passengers was always the number one priority.

“We’ve recently replaced lighting throughout the station — including on the platforms and concourse — to improve safety for passengers,” Mr Macklin said.

“We’ll keep working with locals to make sure they have the best station possible.”

Aston federal Liberal MP Alan Tudge said $20 million had been allocated in the Government’s budget to build up to 500 new parking spaces at Boronia station.

The location of the new parks has not been decided.

Mr Tudge said the lack of parking in Boronia was a massive issue for train commuters and people accessing the Centrelink office near the station.