By Laura Michell
Commuters have named three Whittlesea train stations as among the best in the state, while three other outer northern suburban stations have been revealed as some of the worst.
As part of the RACV’s latest On Track survey, more than 24,5000 train commuters from across Victoria rated their satisfaction with train stations against key criteria such as insufficient facilities, lack of cleanliness and car park availability.
Hawkstowe station was named Victoria’s top station, scoring nine out of 10.
Middle Gorge station was ranked the third best with a score of 8.48 out of 10, while Mernda rounded out the top 10 with a score of 8.15 out of 10.
Donnybrook, Broadmeadows and Jacana stations were all included on the list of Victoria’s worst stations.
Donnybrook was ranked the third worst station with a score of 3.43 out of 10, with commuters raising concerns about poor bus connections to and from the station and a lack of carparking.
Broadmeadows was named as the fifth worst station, scoring 3.74 out of 10 amid commuter concerns about safety and the station’s lack of cleanliness.
Jacana was ranked the sixth worst station, scoring 3.76 out of 10 due to inadequate shelter and a lack of toilets.
Hume mayor Carly Moore said it was not surprising that Broadmeadows station had been named as one of the worst in Victoria.
The council has been advocating for the station to be upgraded for a number of years.
“The RACV On Track survey results supports council’s advocacy for the need for funding for the redevelopment of Broadmeadows train station,” Cr Moore said.
“Broadmeadows is the only station within a Metropolitan Activity Centre that is ranked as one of Victoria’s 10 worst stations.
“We know that the Broadmeadows train station is not an inviting place for commuters: people do not feel safe, especially at certain times of the day; it is dark, graffitied, and it is time the Victorian Government provided funding for this much-needed infrastructure project for our community.”
