[Article] CIE slammed over disabled access at station

[ThomasJ]

http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tab...t-station.aspx

FACILITIES in Carlow Train Station have been slammed after it emerged that wheelchair users can’t get off at the station. In certain situations, people with wheelchairs are being forced to travel to the next station on the rail line so they can get off the train safely and they are then taxied back to Carlow.

A shocked train user contacted The Nationalist to report the situation, describing it as “atrocious” and criticising the transport umbrella body CIE for wasting money on taxis instead of providing proper facilities in the station.

“Carlow Train Station is in such bad condition that if a wheelchair user comes from Dublin or Waterford they can’t get off in Carlow. They have to travel further down the line to either Bagenalstown or Athy, get off there and then CIE pays for a taxi back to Carlow. It’s outrageous that there is no crossing for them.”

When contacted, John Delaney, station manager for Carlow, Kilkenny and Athy, confirmed that while using taxis to ferry wheelchair passengers back to Carlow did happen, it was “not necessarily” the case in every situation. Mr Delaney went on to explain that twice a day two trains coming in opposite directions meet in Carlow and these pull up on opposite platforms.

Passengers on one train are able to get off on platform one, which is nearest the exit, and passengers on the other train have to get off at platform two, meaning they have to cross an overhead bridge which has a steep set of steps and no wheelchair access to get out of the station.

“Wheelchair users are obliged to contact Iarnród Éireann before they travel so that we can make provisions for them. If we know there is a wheelchair passenger on a train, we make sure we direct the train to the proper platform, but if they don’t alert us we can’t do that.”

Mr Delaney said that this situation did develop a few weeks ago when a passenger who was semi-mobile but used a wheelchair did not tell Iarnród Éireann they were on the train beforehand and they had to continue their journey to Bagenalstown before being taken back to Carlow by taxi.

Speaking about the possibility of providing a wheelchair-accessible overhead link for Carlow Train Station, Mr Delaney said this was something that could possibly happen in the future. “I know there are a few in operation in different stations, like Mallow for example, which operate with lifts. An underground pass would also be another option.”

However, when asked if the money CIE earned from its recently-introduced car park charges in Carlow Train Station could be put towards providing such a service, Mr Delaney said those funds were being spent on car park maintenance.

“Train station car parks are being upgraded with the charges and that is happening in all Iarnród Éireann facilities. At the moment, the situation is that wheelchair passengers are obliged to let us know when they are travelling by contacting customer services so we can accommodate them.”

[PLUMB LOCO]

While there is some merit in this story things are reaching an absurd state if every station in the country is going to have lifts fitted. A little bit of imagination and cheaper alternatives (new entrances etc) can be provided at little or no cost instead of lifts which will be massively expensive, visually intrusive and have high maintenance costs and short life expectancies!

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by PLUMB LOCO

While there is some merit in this story things are reaching an absurd state if every station in the country is going to have lifts fitted. A little bit of imagination and cheaper alternatives (new entrances etc) can be provided at little or no cost instead of lifts which will be massively expensive, visually intrusive and have high maintenance costs and short life expectancies!

Fair enough, but I would have thought that facilities should be provided in each of the Intercity stations?

[Mark Gleeson]

Carlow is way down the list for a bridge

I don't think its acceptable to have to give 24 hours notice, its discriminatory in someways

Nice to see some non media spin comment from within Irish Rail

[ThomasJ]

And continuing the theme of carpark maintenance I love this bit!

However, when asked if the money CIE earned from its recently-introduced car park charges in Carlow Train Station could be put towards providing such a service, Mr Delaney said those funds were being spent on car park maintenance.

“Train station car parks are being upgraded with the charges and that is happening in all Iarnród Éireann facilities. At the moment, the situation is that wheelchair passengers are obliged to let us know when they are travelling by contacting customer services so we can accommodate them.”

[Thomas Ralph]

They still have a staff member escort the wheelchair across the tracks at several stations, e.g. Enniscorthy.

[finnyus]

I have only passed through Carlow station twice, but I presume that the platforms are bi-directionally signalled? Would there be anyone on the train (bar the driver) that could inform the signal man to route the train to the platform so a wheelchair use could exit the train? ok you have a stalemate if there are 2 trains crossing @ Carlow.

In Mallow, trains from Dublin that have connections for Tralee often stop at platform 2 (island platform).

[Mark Gleeson]

Its no problem once you know before the train leaves the station before.

Call signaller request platform 1 due wheelchair passenger

[PLUMB LOCO]

Originally Posted by ThomasJ

Fair enough, but I would have thought that facilities should be provided in each of the Intercity stations?

That doesn't leave many stations out then since a huge number of Dublin suburban stations already have them. It's like the money that was wasted extending platforms at every little halt around the country.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by PLUMB LOCO

While there is some merit in this story things are reaching an absurd state if every station in the country is going to have lifts fitted.

Why is it absurd? CIÉ accept that 25% of their pasengers have some mobility impairment - wheelchair, pram, elderly, small children, luggage, etc.

A little bit of imagination and cheaper alternatives (new entrances etc) can be provided at little or no cost

A new entrance may not always be practical. Dalkey, which doesn't have a lift, has entrances on both sides, but it involves a detour of 200-300m from the car park to the far platform over a public bridge and down a long ramp. http://www.bing.com/maps/default.asp...blin&encType=1

instead of lifts which will be massively expensive, visually intrusive and have high maintenance costs and short life expectancies!

Yes, putting in two lifts would cost perhaps €250,000 per station (due to site conditions, not all would need 2). The lift shaft and bridge should last 100 years and the lift mechanics 25 years.

Oh and the government will pick up the tab anyway.

And now, why can't they make the platforms and train interiors the same heights?