Yes it’s true, well, according to ex-Virgin Trains boss Chris Green, who was appointed the country’s rail “champion” last year by the Government.
As well as this frank observation, Mr Green also added that “Stations need to move from the 19th century into the 21st century. As part of that shift, they need a standardised toilet - what one might call a bog standard loo”. These candid words were spoken at the Future of Station Design conference at the London Transport Museum in April, informing the audience that the majority of London’s public station toilets are ancient, dirty and hark back to the Victorian age, and need to be upgraded as soon as possible.
Mr Green suggested that the UK’s 2,500 stations should introduce a standardised national model that is ultimately clean, efficient and available for all passengers. The bad news, however, for commuters who endure rising rail prices, is that they then need to outlay (or ‘spend a penny’) in order to, er, spend another penny.
(Image credit)
“Having a 50 per cent satisfaction rate for stations is no longer good enough at the start of the 21st century,” Mr Green continued. “There has been considerable investment in a new generation of 21st century trains, yet our stations are still stuck in the 19th century buffers.” These alarming statistics were discovered after a survey of passengers highlighted that only half of those questioned were satisfied by the state of stations and their toilets, compared to 80% who express satisfaction with the actual train journey.
If you commute regularly, then we’re fairly sure you’ve had a negative/embarrassing/forgettable experience when using these loos, or the very least witnessed someone else suffer. Whether it’s a blocked toilet, a door that won’t lock properly or an inebriated stranger asleep on the floor, it’s clear from the public’s response that something has to change – and quick.
The plan for the Mr Green’s “standardised loos”, which would also accommodate disabled passengers, are being proposed to Network Rail and train bosses as part of an official benchmark to rejuvenate our stations and hopefully get the collective green light within the imminent months. He concluded with: 'I'd rather pay a little to have much improved loos.”
Do you agree? Or is charging us to use better and improved public toilets simply ‘out of order’? We’d like to hear your thoughts.
To find out more about Albany Hygiene Facilities’ hygiene services and washroom equipment, including hand care and personal hygiene, please get in touch with us today.
