At least 11 more train stations will now receive upgrades such as new lifts, ramps and footbridges under the Transport Access Program, taking the NSW Government’s total investment to over $2 billion since 2011 and making more than 90 per cent of customer journeys accessible.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance have announced NSW Budget 2018 includes a further $133 million in the next financial year for the Transport Access Program.
“We are committed to making public transport accessible for customers with a disability, less mobile customers or customers using a pram and that is why this Budget includes funding to upgrade accessibility to at least 11 more stations across the State,” Ms 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 funding in NSW Budget 2018 will allow planning for accessibility upgrades at North Strathfield, Kingswood, Hazelbrook, Wyee, Blayney, Mittagong, Clarendon, Hawkesbury River, Wahroonga, Taree, Roseville and further progression of Glenbrook, Beecroft, Millthorpe and Como stations. This is in addition to the 31 new stations the NSW Government is building for the Sydney Metro network.
“The investment in the Transport Access Program is about making life easier for people in the community to access public transport,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is a budget that puts people first, and that is what the investment in the Transport Access Program does.”
A further $882 million will be invested in the Transport Access Program over the forward estimates, on top of the $1.2 billion invested since 2011 to fund accessibility upgrades at stations, create better transport interchanges and build car parks.
“Labor was only doing two access upgrades a year and it would have taken 90 years to upgrade all stations on the network,” Mr Constance said.
“We now have 173 of the 307 stations on the suburban and intercity networks accessible.
“This means that approximately 90 per cent of customer trips across the network are now accessible.”
Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti has welcomed the further investment and the commitment to build three lifts at North Strathfield station.
“I have been campaigning for this upgrade at North Strathfield and it is great news for my community that it will now be made accessible,” Mr Sidoti said.
The Transport Access Program is a NSW Government initiative to deliver safe, modern and accessible public transport infrastructure across the State.