Dubbo residents and visitors now have a safer and more accessible train station after the completion of a significant upgrade.
The NSW Government’s accessibility upgrade to Dubbo Station includes better lighting and security and improvements to the ticket counter and waiting room.
The work also included regrading and line marking of the 32-space car park, the installation of new tactile indicators along the station platform to improve safety and accessibility for people with vision impairment, the replacement of external lighting and installation of new heritage light poles.
Upgrades have also been made to existing paths around the station precinct with new surfaces and tactile indicators. Other key benefits include a new kiss and ride zone and improved amenities.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“The historic Dubbo Station has been operating since around 1881 and is a landmark in the community.
“This upgrade has enhanced the facility to make it more comfortable for current commuters and to help plan for future growth while protecting and retaining the facility’s heritage status.
“We also made upgrades to the five bus and coach bays, regraded parts of the platform and installed new drainage.
“Modifications have also been completed to the café and ticketing counters, which have been lowered to make them accessible for customers in wheelchairs, as well as to the waiting room where we have improved lighting and provided wheelchair spaces alongside the seating.”
Dubbo Duty MLC Stephen Lawrence said:
“I’ve been watching the development proceed over the last seven months and have been extremely impressed with the improvements.
“Dubbo Station is a major bus and coach interchange given that it is the end of the line for the passenger train, and the improvements will enhance the transport experience.
“This Government sees improvements to public transport as a vital part of people’s quality of life in region, rural and remote NSW.”
The Safe Accessible Transport program aims to make public transport safe, inclusive, and easy to use for all passengers, especially people with disability, older people, people with prams or luggage and others who may be experiencing mobility problems.
The 2023-2024 NSW Budget allocated a total of $800.7m over four years to implement the new program, which combines the funds of both the existing Transport Access Program (TAP) and Commuter Car Park Program (CCP) and includes an additional $300m commitment.
The program will upgrade stations and wharves to achieve Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) compliance, improving amenity, access and safety and acknowledging the important role these locations have to the communities they serve.