The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the job of upgrading Bendigo Station and the Bendigo Line, with passengers now able to use the new pedestrian bridge at the station.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today visited Bendigo Station to inspect the new bridge, while joining Guide Dogs Victoria as they team up with V/Line to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
The pedestrian bridge is opening in stages with ramps open for arrivals on platform 2, allowing passengers with luggage, people with disabilities and families with young children to transfer and connect with other transport.
The stairs and lifts will open in early 2019, providing passengers with a full suite of accessibility options with lifts, ramps and stairs.
Further upgrades planned for Bendigo Station will see improvements to the station building, including a refresh of the waiting area, toilets and customer service areas to boost access and comfort for passengers.
A new changing places facility will be installed, with a full-sized change table and hoists to meet the needs of people with severe and profound disabilities.
Workshops have been running between Guide Dogs Victoria and V/Line staff this week, offering key insights into the role of guide dogs and the challenges people with disability can experience navigating public transport.
Southern Cross Station is also a Guide Dogs Victoria training centre, with more tactile strips for vision impaired passengers than any other station and home to the world first trial of the ‘Beacon’ app, which connects vision impaired passengers to audio information assists them around the station.
Work continues on the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade, with critical track assessments and ecological surveying nearly complete, which will help inform planning and design.
Rail Projects Victoria is working closely with V/Line to prepare for construction between Epsom and Echuca, which will commence early next year.
The upgrade will include track and signalling work to enable faster services to Echuca and signalling upgrades for more frequent services between Epsom, Eaglehawk and Bendigo.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“With the new Bendigo Station pedestrian bridge partly open and works continuing on the Bendigo and Echuca Line, we are not wasting a day in delivering the upgrades locals need.”
“This partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria is important and helps us ensure public transport is accessible to all Victorians.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020