Changes a-comin’ down the track

The review looks at the number and mix of staff positions allocated to stations at different times of the day, including station managers.

“We know that 88 per cent of our customers travel during weekdays and the majority of these in the morning and afternoon peaks. This means that we need to roster our staff to best meet the needs of our customers,” a CityRail spokesperson said.

Although decisions relating to Erskineville Station have not been made, residents have expressed concern. “State rail is becoming increasingly difficult to use out of working hours but Erskineville is a very user friendly station because of the friendly staff. State rail is becoming increasingly insensitive to customer needs. If they keep eroding the human element it will make matters worse,” says Martin Fisher, an Erskineville resident and regular City Rail passenger.

“Erskineville railway staff have an exceptional rapport with the travelling public. They are very kind and generous with giving information which is very helpful when trains are running late,” says Father Claude Mostowik, Director of the Peace and Justice Centre and long-term Erskineville local.

As with Redfern Station, Erskineville residents also mentioned the steep stairs and lack of lift, making it difficult for the elderly and disabled to reach street level without staff assistance, and security issues.

Details of the review underway were not disclosed by Rail Corp but a spokesperson confirmed there would be no loss of employment. “Only when the consultation is completed will a decision be made on staffing levels at each station. Opportunities will be provided where required to retrain and transition affected staff to other roles,” a Rail Corp spokesperson said.

 “Redfern Station will continue to be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No currently staffed station will be left without staff in the CBD and inner city area as a result of this review,” she added.

Rail Corp says it has been in consultation with station staff and unions but the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) maintain that its recommendations relating to the South Coast Stations have been ignored, leaving 18 stations with reduced hours and five stations closed completely.

“The reviews for Redfern and Erskineville have not yet gone ahead but we have just received reports on the reviews for the South Coast lines. Rail Corp has not listened to commuters and ignored us and is going to push ahead with station closures and reduced services,” RTBU spokesperson Phillip Kessey said.

“The review, which is not yet finalised, aims to create better station staffing arrangements to match passenger movements,” a spokesperson for local MP Carmel Tebbut said. “Ms Tebbutt, as the Member for Marrickville, will continue to represent any concerns constituents may have on the issue to the Minister for Transport.”

Photo: Ali Blogg- Caption: Redfern - a busy railway station

Source: South Sydney Herald June 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au