STATION MODERNISATION
Challenging apathy towards cycle parking
Chris Tsielepi, rail specialist at Cyclepods Ltd, an innovative supplier of cycle parking solutions, believes that introducing new products to the UK rail industry is very challenging and that cycle parking schemes could run the risk of becoming tick-box exercises in the hands of apathetic project managers focused on cost and deadlines.
S
chemes to provide cycle parking at rail stations received a huge boost with the
arrival of the coalition government and with Norman Baker MP at the Department for Transport for an unprecedented three and a half years.
More often, however, train operating companies (TOCs) – in partnership with local authorities – have weeks to submit schemes, go through a procurement process and get the products installed before a deadline; usually 31 March!
In this stressful environment, where project managers and station staff have to deal with cycle parking schemes on top of their day job, it is understandable to choose the easy option of getting your term contractor to buy a generic
shelter and any old Sheffi eld type of stand at the cheaper end of the scale, preferably, and install it. Job done, tick!
But the humble hoop is not always the solution for all situations. We have seen, for example, the growth of two-tier cycle parking at stations. Southern Railway and South West Trains cycle projects have won accolades from the Cycle-Rail Awards organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Cycle Committee and ATOC. The project managers at the TOCs have worked with Cyclepods to ensure best fi t for the space available and by sharing the extent of the project have secured best prices.
My advice to anyone ‘lumbered’ with a cycle parking project would be to engage with a range of suppliers, visit their installations or ask
to test their products. Engage with cyclists in your organisation or with a bicycle users group such as Northern Rail’s Cycle Users Forum, even if you cycle but especially if you’re not a cyclist yourself.
Cycle parking, if done on the cheap, can become a burden with maintenance, health and safety or customer feedback issues. If done well however, it could regenerate a tired area of a station, increase patronage, generate income and get you a pat on the back and industry recognition.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: 01959 546 043 E:
Chris@cyclepods.co.uk W:
www.cyclepods.co.uk/working-with/ national-rail/
A helping hand Darren Kitchener, area sales manager for rail at Commend UK, describes a new help point concept. T
he new Interactive SR1202 information and emergency help points from Commend UK
provide the latest technologies in a completely redesigned and updated help point housing for the rail market.
This unit is fully IP-enabled, allowing remote maintenance access, and has a 6mm toughened glass front panel. It has been designed to fulfi l the future requirements of all train operators and end users.
Consisting of a 15” interactive touchscreen for displaying the train operator’s website, this unit provides passengers with more information such as live departures, delays and journey planning to aid their journey and provide more ‘self-fi nd information’ for passengers at the station.
158 | rail technology magazine Apr/May 14
Commend electronics within, allow calls to be routed through to the station control room or any control centre should the passenger require further assistance.
An inbuilt IP camera can also be included if required. This will give the option of one- way or two-way video between the user and station staff in the control room.
Standard colour schemes are white with blue lettering in keeping with the traditional styles used, although TOC-specifi c colour schemes and layouts are also available on request.
Up to two fully programmable buttons, for example ‘Emergency’ and ‘Information’ can be incorporated. These, via the dedicated
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: 01279 872 020 E:
d.kitchener@
commend.co.uk
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