A malfunctioning lift at Watergardens train station that reportedly breaks down nearly every second week, on average, is likely to be replaced.
Western Metropolitan MLC Bernie Finn told state parliament recently the Watergardens lift had broken down 43 times over the past two years, and sometimes took a week to fix.
“For people to have to wait for up to a week for a broken down lift to be fixed seems to me to be quite insane. That is just ridiculous,” he said. “It is a major concern, particularly for people with disabilities and for elderly people.”
Public Transport Victoria and Metro Trains have been forced to provide maxi taxis for special needs commuters, who could not access the train to get to doctors’ appointments.
Mr Finn has also called for a second ramp to be built to service both sides of the station.
“I find it just astonishing that we have a lift there that has broken down so often. There is only one ramp for people to use, and it is on the opposite side of the platform,” he said.
“I just do not understand how the PTV could allow such a situation to exist.”
A PTV spokesman said it would continue to provide “alternative transport arrangements” for passengers when lifts are out of order.
“PTV is committed to finding a permanent solution for passengers – which at this stage could involve replacing the lifts,” he said.
Commuter frustration runs high around Watergardens, with one resident telling Star Weekly that connecting buses are dirty and cold.
And a recent petition calling for more parking at the station has been signed by more than 600 people.
