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BROADMEADOW has been voted the worst railway station in the Hunter by commuters, according to Australia’s largest non-government train survey.
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More than 12,000 people responded to the NRMA Seeing Red on Rail campaign, with train users in the Hunter declaring Broadmeadow as the station that was most in need of improvement.
Commuters listed lack of parking (58per cent), insecure or unsafe parking (47per cent) and personal safety and security (42per cent) as the main flaws of the station.
But several of those waiting for trains yesterday afternoon came to the station’s defence, saying ongoing service upgrades, a waiting room and disabled access were all significant pluses.
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Several nominated other stations they believe had worst facilities and were more unsafe, including Hamilton, Cardiff and Morisset.
‘‘You’ve got a refreshment area, taxis outside, there is good access, I mean what is wrong with that?’’ Kerry Hughes said.
University of Newcastle student Sam Blanks – who catches the train between Newcastle and the Central Coast four times a week – said she purposely avoids Hamilton railway station because of a bad experience there.
‘‘Safety wise I find Hamilton worse,’’ she said.
‘‘I catch a bus to Broadmeadow instead of getting the train to Hamilton and changing, at Broadmeadow the guards come out and you’ve always got someone in authority in the area.’’
Belmont’s Bill and Shirley Johnston said they had made regular trips to the station for more than 30 years to collect their daughter.
‘‘They are continually working on it, painting and improving it,’’ Mrs Johnston said.
‘‘It’s a lot better than it used to be.’’
Broadmeadow was also ranked the 11th worst station in NSW, according to the data, and was ahead of Newcastle (19 in NSW), Cardiff (21), Hamilton (33), Morisset (59), Fassifern (93) and Adamstown (102).
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Railway stations at Victoria Street (109) and Maitland (122) were rated the worst in the Maitland region.
NRMA local director Kyle Loades said the success of last year’s campaign had prompted upgrades and funding from the state government.
‘‘The government responded to the concerns raised by the NRMA in last year’s survey, most recently announcing 1200 new commuter parking spaces across NSW,’’ Mr Loades said.
‘‘We need an efficient and integrated transport system and that means we need more parking at stations like Broadmeadow.’’
Gosford was rated the worst railway station on the Central Coast followed by Woy Woy and Tuggerah.
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