Bus Users Need to Poo Too!

The Liverpool Transport Taskforce (LTTF), most recent campaign is for toilets at the Liverpool Bus Interchange. The LTTF been working closely with the Liverpool Council’s Transport and Traffic Coordinator on the issue of passenger amenities and we have done some preliminary research around the needs of the community and potential solutions to the problem.

Bus Interchange Toilets

Historically, bus toilets were to be provided when the Liverpool Transport Interchange was designed. Under a previous commercial bus shelter contract with Liverpool Council, the contractor was to supply self cleaning toilets which would provide amenity to bus passengers.

The toilets were never installed. The resultant litigation and the Ministry of Transport’s Bus Review saw the bus toilets along with the bus shelters became less of a priority (as bus route were changing, hence the shelters would need to possibly be moved).

The Problem:

- Lack of access to CityRail Toilets

There is a clear lack of toilet facilities for bus users using Liverpool Bus Interchange. Regular users of the Liverpool Bus Interchange do not have automatic entry into the toilets provided by CityRail. Entry is by ticket only. Entry without a ticket carries a $200.00 on the spot fine. Some station attendants do let bus passengers use toilet facilities, but this policy is not consistently applied, creating uncertainty for members of the travelling public. We believe all passengers should be able to use the toilets regardless of what transport they choose.

Research conducted by the Liverpool Transport Taskforce and Western Sydney Information and Research Service (WESTIR) have indicated that there are close to 8650 people accessing the Liverpool Transport Interchange on a daily basis. This does not include passengers using the terminal for coach services, state bus terminal and other social coach outings.

- Distance from CityRail Toilets

If bus passengers are granted access to CityRail toilets, there is a considerable distance to travel to gain access to these toilets. Passengers, who are incontinent, have limited mobility, find using the bus service very difficult when toileting and change facilities are far away. Many mothers and fathers who need a safe place to change their children would also be able to use the toileting facilities in a safe and convenient manner. This is a significant problem and inconveniences many thousands of people each year.

The Solution

- Self Cleaning Toilets (Vandal and Drug Safe)

Self cleaning toilets are a viable and customisable solution to this problem. The makers of the toilets state that they are self cleaning and low on maintenance, which saves thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the asset.

They can are designed to minimise anti social behaviour and have a timer which can be altered, so that the cubicle doors open after a set period of time. The Toilets are fully accessible and compliant with the Federal Discrimination Disability Act legislation so those with limited mobility or a disability can use the facilities. Council and stakeholders would be meeting their responsibilities under the law.

- Timing

At present, CityRail is re-surfacing the Bus Interchange area, removing paving and resealing the concourse. We believe it is an opportune time to install the bus toilets, as there will be less disruption to the community and the travelling public if the toilets are installed at this time.

Our Request

We need community support to identify the owners of the land to seek permission to build the toilets and are seeking support for this proposal and this campaign.

We believe that this toilet is long overdue and sorely needed. This matter has been raised at a council meeting for discussion and is currently under the deliberation of the Mayor of Liverpool Council, Wendy Waller.

We will be making a video and posting to this blog to highlight the issue.