Media release – Monday, 13 March 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Calls for Station Redevelopment

Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill Ward and PTUA Branch Convener Alex Makin has called for a firm commitment towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and further public transport improvements in Maroondah.

“Ringwood as a transit city requires a significant boost in both public transport services and infrastructure for the vision to be achieved,” PTUA spokesman Alex Makin said. “The design and concept for a new Ringwood Station is well advanced, it is now time for the government to provide a firm funding and timeframe commitment to provide certainty for the community.”

The call to redevelop Ringwood Station comes amid rising speculation that the upcoming Transport and Liveability Statement will include funds for the redevelopment of several stations. Design work on options for Ringwood Station is significantly advanced with plans first being touted in 1999.

“As a councillor for Maroondah and a public transport advocate I personally support the calls by the community to ensure that the redevelopment of Ringwood Station occurs by 2008,” Cr. Makin said. “The Ringwood and Maroondah community has been waiting far too long for a reliable, safe and convenient public transport system. The upcoming Transport and Liveability Statement is the last opportunity for the Government to finally get it right and deliver real improvements.”

The need to redevelop Ringwood Station is viewed as urgent due to the steepness of the station’s ramps which fail to comply with disability access laws. Ringwood Station is perceived as being unsafe and inaccessible with surveys consistency ranking Ringwood Station as the most unsafe location within Maroondah.

“Many residents have mentioned that they would rather spend up to an hour catching a bus from Ringwood to Box Hill to avoid the ramps at Ringwood Station. The Maroondah community includes a significant number of people with disabilities and it therefore clear that our current infrastructure is failing to meet the needs of the community,” Cr. Makin said.

About the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA):
Founded in 1976, the Public Transport Users Association is the recognised consumer organisation representing passengers of public transport. The PTUA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation with no political affiliation, which lobbies governments and public transport authorities in the interest of all users of public transport.