Lifts Out Of Order

nc6000

I get the train the odd time into Dublin on the Northern Commuter line, once a week at most. Everytime I get the train I notice on the information displays at the stations that there are always lifts out of order in two stations. I'm wondering is it just a coincidence that exactly two lifts are out of order or are there usually numerous lifts out of order in various stations but the information displays can only show two?

Has anyone else noticed this?

Victor

It varies 1-3, but can easily be 5-6 in cold weather. Only DART and Northern Line lifts tend to be listed.

Luas only has a limited number of lifts, but I have never seen them listed out of order. One would hope that is because they are rarely out of order.

Carawaystick

I'd imagine the lifts not working are due to IÉ not bothering paying for maintenance. I'd imagine station webpages wouldn't show the lifts ooo either.

wile1000

I noticed on Tuesday afternoon that there were about 8 lifts showing as out of order, so the information displays can show as many as they like I would imagine!

Clearly the heavy rains had their effect on the lifts this week.

crushproof

Always without fail there's a least one lift along the Dart line that's out of order. Considering the majority of these lifts are relatively new it doesn't make much sense....until you realise it's IÉ that operates them.

Vic_08

crushproof wrote: »

Always without fail there's a least one lift along the Dart line that's out of order. Considering the majority of these lifts are relatively new it doesn't make much sense....until you realise it's IÉ that operates them.

Or could it be that most of them are exposed to the elements 24/7? How many other lifts can you think of that open outside rather than tucked away inside buildings? Not to mention being left exposed to vandals on deserted platforms late at night.

Losty Dublin

In the office I worked in, there was visits from lift technicians at least once a week for some sort of breakdown or failure or maintenance service. And that was for an internal system; Lord knows how much of a beating the outdoor ones take.

foggy_lad

There are always a number of lifts out of order and usually at stations where there is no access apart from the lift/stairs to one platform like Balbriggan which had both lifts locked up all week even though only one was listed as being out of order.

It would be good if Irish Rail could provide an up to date accurate list of stations without disabled access on a daily basis!

dowlingm

I note IE's station pages list what escalators etc are available now on the new website but not their availability. That should be added. See here for example:
http://www3.ttc.ca/Subway/Stations/Jane/station.jsp#ElevatorsAndEscalators_

foggy_lad

dowlingm wrote: »

I note IE's station pages list what escalators etc are available now on the new website but not their availability. That should be added. See here for example:
http://www3.ttc.ca/Subway/Stations/Jane/station.jsp#ElevatorsAndEscalators_

Something like that would be great but most people would settle for accurate information on Twitter at 8-9am so they can plan alternatives, it does not just affect those in wheelchairs but also thousands who are mobility impaired who don't seem to figure in plans in Kildare, Sallins etc where the ramps to the new footbridges will involve a walk of almost a kilometre from station entrance to far platform!

Victor

There is a feed from traffic control to the platform / station displays. I have asked them to include that feed on the website.

foggy_lad

Victor wrote: »

There is a feed from traffic control to the platform / station displays. I have asked them to include that feed on the website.

How often do staff check lifts and report when they are out of order? Also why would both lifts in balbriggan be locked up when only one was broken?

orionm_73

Could it be so anyone with reduced mobility, having used the working lift, won't be left at the top far side of the bridge unable to use the stairs down?

foggy_lad

orionm_73 wrote: »

Could it be so anyone with reduced mobility, having used the working lift, won't be left at the top far side of the bridge unable to use the stairs down?

Wouldn't they be glad of only having to use one set of steps though instead of two? all the signs also warned of one lift out of order while both were closed up.

I know Irish Rail are way behind other companies as far as accessibility for the disabled and those with mobility issues are concerned but small things like this can make a big difference to those passengers and would take very little effort, someone obviously chose to leave both lifts locked when they should have opened the one that was working.

Judgement Day

I am fortunate enough to be fully able bodied but I really do question the sense in providing lifts at every station -especially on the exposed East coast. I see one about to be installed at Greystones - yards away from the beach and surely the sea air is going to play havoc with this. I'm sure that with a bit of thought, a lot could be saved by the expediency of making stations more open and providing points of access off most platforms - the vast amount of money saved could be spent on extra staff to assist the public and protect revenue. Has anybody ever seen a figure for what all these lifts are costing to install, not to mention maintain?

foggy_lad

Judgement Day wrote: »

I am fortunate enough to be fully able bodied but I really do question the sense in providing lifts at every station -especially on the exposed East coast. I see one about to be installed at Greystones - yards away from the beach and surely the sea air is going to play havoc with this. I'm sure that with a bit of thought, a lot could be saved by the expediency of making stations more open and providing points of access off most platforms - the vast amount of money saved could be spent on extra staff to assist the public and protect revenue. Has anybody ever seen a figure for what all these lifts are costing to install, not to mention maintain?

How many countries I wonder either allow "barrow crossings" or have specific crossing points in stations for those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues? There is a barrow crossing at Carlow station which could be used instead of the rickety old footbridge if there were gates placed on it operated by either staff in Carlow or even at some central control point. Many of the Dart stations have no access from one platform because they are up against the sea wall or mountains but a simple track crossing point would remove the need for expensive lifts and intrusive and tedious ramps which don't serve the mobility impaired or the disabled!

devnull

"...and the lifts at platforms 2&4 at Howth Jctn, are temporarily out of order"

See that 9/10 days, I often wonder why they stay out of order for weeks in a row, eventually get fixed then are broke and dead again a few days later, always the same two platforms too.

foggy_lad

devnull wrote: »

"...and the lifts at platforms 2&4 at Howth Jctn, are temporarily out of order"

See that 9/10 days, I often wonder why they stay out of order for weeks in a row, eventually get fixed then are broke and dead again a few days later, always the same two platforms too.

That kind of failing is probably due to poor installation or maintenance or those lifts are not covered by the CCTV?