Commuters call for bus shelters, but local MP refuses to budge

Frustrated rail commuters are baffled about why one very important feature wasn’t included in Frankston’s new $50 million train station.

First, the bus bays in the Young St redevelopment were bungled.

Then caught-short shoppers lamented the lack of loos.

Now commuters are complaining Frankston’s new $50 million Frankston railway station doesn’t have enough bus shelters.

But local MP Paul Edbrooke says there are no plans to alter the international competition-winning design.

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When the Leader visited the Young St station last week, commuters said there was virtually nothing to protect them from the elements.

Ruth Kennedy said the lack of shelter was infuriating.

“You get off the train and it’s bucketing down rain — where do you go?” she said.

“If it was raining, I would be annoyed. They need more shelters. There’s hardly any.”

And Cheryle warned the situation could be dangerous for seniors.

“It concerns me with the elderly people that there’s a lack of shade in summer and protection in winter from the rain,” she said.

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Frankston councillor Kris Bolam said he had received multiple complaints about the lack of bus shelters.

“Given the multimillion-dollar price tag for upgrading the railway precinct, I’d be astonished if bus shelters have been neglected,” Cr Bolan said.

But Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke, who oversaw the station precinct upgrade, said he would not be swayed by calls for more bus shelters.

“The Frankston Train Station design was an international design competition and the catalyst for the redevelopment was to improve the perceptions of safety and create a pedestrian flow,” he said.

Commuter Ruth Kennedy says the lack of bus shelters is “infuriating”. Picture: WAYNE TAYLOR

“I am in constant consultation with our community about what we can improve in our city.

“At this stage the bus shelters will remain as they are.”

Mr Edbrooke said shoppers and commuters had previously said they felt unsafe with “unsavoury people hanging around the area”.

“Opening up this space by making it light, bright and open is its main objective.”

Young St underwent a $13m revamp ahead of the station rebuild, which opened earlier this year.

The redevelopment was plagued by months of delays.

When the street finally reopened, Young St workers told the Leader it was clear buses could not fit in some of the bays because they were too small.

A public toilet block demolished as part of the redevelopment was initially replaced with a single, locked portaloo — solely for bus drivers.

Another portaloo for commuters and shoppers was placed nearby after the Leader highlighted the issue.

Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said planning was underway for a new toilet block, which is expected to be open for business in 2019.

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