Train passengers left out in the cold
Staff only: Passengers are no longer allowed to wait in the temporary ticket office at Jordanstown Train Station.
TRANSLINK has confirmed that it is making efforts to provide improved facilities for passengers who are being forced to brave the wintry weather while waiting for services at Jordanstown Train Station.
Responding to criticism from a regular user of the station about the lack of a proper waiting room, the public transport company revealed that it is hoping to upgrade passenger waiting areas at the site.
A Senior SmartPass holder and regular train user from Jordanstown contacted the Times this week to complain that the temporary ticket office, which commuters have used as a waiting room for a number of years, is now off limits to the public.
The woman, who didn’t want to be named, commented: “They (NIR) knocked down the lovely old waiting room years ago and then all we got was this old container, but at least it had toilets, seats and heating. It was somewhere to sit out of the cold, but now there’s a sign up saying only NIR staff are allowed in.
“We’ve got the new trains on the line now and we also have the new park and ride facility which is great, but why is there no proper waiting area - just this eyesore of a container that is now for use by staff only apparently?”
A spokesperson for Translink NIR confirmed that the temporary ticket office located on the platform at Jordanstown Station is now only for the use of staff.
“Until recently passengers had been allowed to wait in the office for their train service to arrive, however due to health and safety regulations, the area is not suitable for passenger use,” she explained. “Passengers should use the two seated shelters on each platform to wait for their trains.
“Translink NI Railways is currently in negotiations to provide improved waiting areas for passengers at Jordanstown Station.”
The spokesperson added that she was “unable to say at this stage” exactly what sort of facilities Translink is hoping to provide at the station.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
