By Shaun Inguanzo
NOBLE Park is one step closer to having a premium railway station after Connex announced staffing increases this week.
Previously the station had been staffed between 6am and 2pm on weekdays but the increases mean it will be manned 6am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and 6am to 2am on Friday.
And in a move welcomed by Noble Park Ward councillor Pinar Yesil, the station will also be staffed between 8am and 2am on Saturdays and 8am to midnight on Sundays.
The increase is a trial, Connex said, to improve safety at the troubled station.
Cr Yesil said the move was a positive result.
“We believe this could be the first step towards the station progressing to premium status, meaning it would be staffed during all train movements,” Cr Yesil said.
“The partnership between Connex and the (City of Greater Dandenong) council continues to strengthen and from it we are seeing tangible and positive outcomes for Noble Park Railway Station,” Cr Yesil said.
“Council will continue to lobby for an increase in staffing levels and other improvements at Noble Park station during the new year.”
Geoff Young, Connex group general manager customer service, said the staffing increase was an “interim measure” that would be reviewed early next year to determine whether changes would become permanent.