It’s a shot in the arm that the state government has decided to use Maitland as the base for a new support network designed to make life easier for commuters.
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From a small room at Maitland train station, a TrainLink NSW staff member will monitor real-time transport data and live CCTV footage from stations across the Hunter and offer help to travellers – even if they don’t ask for it.
Staff will be able to channel into PA systems at other stations to give advice, warnings or notices based on what they are seeing on their state-of-the-art information feeds.
A TrainLink NSW official told the Mercury yesterday that support centre staff at Maitland could use the technology to tell a person at Cardiff, Telarah or Dungog that they are standing too close to the tracks, or offer them help if they appear to be lost or confused.
A phone system is also being developed for commuters to get any help they need from local experts.
If the trial on the Hunter and Central Coast lines goes well, the government will use Maitland staff to help commuters at several other major regional stations in northern and north western NSW, including Taree, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said Maitland was chosen as the base because it was a key regional location in the northern train network.
While many Maitland rail commuters feel like they have been ignored by the government recently in relation to the decision to cut Newcastle rail line, there should be credit given where credit is due.
Communities often say that they want public transport that is safer, more efficient and easier to navigate.
In this instance, it appears the government has listened and provided a positive solution.
