Planned works to upgrade accessibility at Griffith Station have been welcomed by long term train user and pensioner advocate Peter Knox.
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Mr Knox has long lobbied for improvements to Griffith's rail service and has been a passionate supporter of train travel all his life, even taking the train on his honeymoon.
"I've always loved trains, that was the main way to travel once," Mr Knox said.
"Griffith had two trains a day once, the South West Mail and the Temora Mail. I went on my honeymoon to Sydney on a train in 1960, that's what you did."
Mr Knox said that particularly now with many planes grounded by COVID-19, people should consider the comfort and affordability of train travel.
"If they keep improving the service, then younger people might think about it. In any case, even when the planes are flying, for many the plane fare is prohibitive," Mr Knox said.
"Rail is a very relaxing way to go to Sydney They have good food on the train and you can have beer and wine or a soft drink. They really look after you. I pay a bit extra and go first class."
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While welcoming the latest improvements, Mr Knox, who is a painter by trade, said Riverina stations could do with a bit of sprucing up, and singled out Leeton station as needing some fresh paint and a tidy up.
However, he said the station at Coolamon was a good example of an attractive station that would encourage people to use the rail.
"On the way to Sydney you notice how from Goulburn onwards the stations are painted in heritage colours and they look really good."
He is also concerned about safety at stations such as Griffith which are not always manned.
"When there's no one there you can feel very insecure, particularly older people. I'd like to see a bit more security there. You know what it's like these days, you can be sitting there on the seat on your own and you're likely to get your throat cut."
The NSW Government has promised that by 2022 Griffith will have a station precinct that is accessible to people with a disability or limited mobility, and easier for people with prams and luggage.
The improvements will include a new accessible path from the station entrance to the car park, a new coach bay and bus shelter, a new accessible car space, upgrade of the existing side ramp between the car park and platform, modifications to the waiting room and ticket counter, improved amenities including ambulant toilets, a new boarding zone and new tactile indicators on the platform and improvements to "way finding" and lighting.
Mr Knox was successful in 2018 in campaigning for an extra mid-week service from Griffith to Sydney.
That service, and the planned improvements to the station can only boost tourism to Griffith, he said.
"We've got so much to offer; we've got the best restaurants anywhere," he told the Area News.
"Nothing compares to what Griffith's got; there are so many things to see and do here."
The station improvements are part of the Transport Access Program, with the project expected to be complete in early 2022.
