UK: Following what Network Rail describes as ‘a major rethink’, the two through platforms at Manchester Piccadilly which handle up to 14 trains/h are to be managed independently from the rest of the station.
The changes at platforms 13 and 14 will include the creation of a dedicated team of 12 customer relations staff and four supervisors, and the provision of staff information screens on the platforms.
The ‘airport style satellite lounge’ where passengers are encouraged to wait before going down to the platforms when their train is about to arrive will be equipped with new information screens, charging points, extra seating, free water points and toilets.
The platforms will be fitted with windbreaks, and drivers have been instructed to stop trains in the same place on the platforms so that passengers can wait along their full length, speeding up boarding and alighting.
‘For too long passengers have not been getting the experience they deserve’, explained James Metcalfe, Shift Station Manager for the two platforms. ‘These changes will greatly improve travel for customers and my team will be a new friendly face for passengers to keep them moving safely to and from platforms and on and off their trains. All staff will know the timetable inside out and will work as one team with our train operator colleagues to make sure platforms 13 and 14 truly become Piccadilly’s station within a station.’
- Network Rail is to run an Innovation Stations Testbed Programme design contest to seek innovative approaches to the provision of real-time platform crowding information and smart asset monitoring at Manchester Piccadilly. An industry day is to be held on March 12 to provide further information, ahead of a planned 10-week trial in the live operational environment.
