The NSW Government is delivering on a key election promise, charging ahead with a new program delivering free, convenient phone chargers at Sydney train stations, with the first stand now switched on at Liverpool.
Designed and built in Sydney for Transport for NSW, the charging stands offer a mix of wireless, USB-A and UBC -C options, and can provide power to 7 devices at once.
The $1 million Power Spots Project will see the stands rolled out at 15 key transport hubs. The first has been unveiled and switched on at Liverpool Station, followed by Campbelltown later this week.
Power spots will be installed at Bankstown, Hurstville, Lidcombe, Penrith and Wynyard, while larger stations including Central, Town Hall and Bondi Junction will get 2 per site. All power spots will be up and running at 15 transport hubs across Sydney by late 2024.
Where possible, power spots will be installed outside ticketed areas to ensure they are accessible to anyone in the community 24/7.
Liverpool Station’s power spot is outside the pay gates on the concourse, opposite the entrance ramp to Bus Stands A to C. It is free to access and use for anyone who needs it, including people travelling to and from the nearby hospital, schools and TAFE.
Station staff have worked closely with the project team to choose sites across the network that have high foot traffic, are easy to find, well-lit and monitored by CCTV.
Electricity use at each power spot will be monitored and the data analysed to help understand the popularity of different wireless and USB charging solutions, and the average time people spend using them.
The Power Spots Program is funded through the Transport Access Program (TAP). Since the TAP started, the NSW Government has committed more than $2.2 billion to upgrades, with more than 520 projects either completed or currently underway across NSW.
Find out more about the Transport Access Program.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:
“Our power spots are giving power to the people – providing peace of mind and a sense of security when they need it most.
“Sydney is a world-class city and it should have world-class public transport infrastructure, so I’m delighted to make people’s lives a little easier with this common-sense addition.
“We’re delivering on our key election promise for the people of NSW, with an investment we know will make life easier and safer for millions of public transport passengers.
“In the modern world, our phones are our lifelines. They act not only to keep us connected, but as our wallets, maps, travel passes, and staying informed and entertained, so this is a no-brainer.
“Initially there will be 18 power spots at 15 locations across the network, which offer fast, free, convenient charging that supports all types of phones, with the aim of increasing that number at more locations.”
Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:
“It’s great to see that the Minns Labor government is delivering for the people of Liverpool. Installing charging stations at train stations is a great common-sense policy.
“A powered-up mobile offers a real sense of safety and security for students, parents, and people riding on our trains at night.
“This is going to be especially convenient for all the students who travel to our local schools, our university campuses, our TAFE campus, and to the many people who use the train to get to Liverpool Hospital.”
Transport for NSW Executive Director Rachel Simpson said:
“A flat phone can leave you feeling stranded. So many of us feel anxious when our phones are running low and rush to make a call, asking someone to come and pick us up.
“Pulling up a map or public transport timetable in the palm of your hand can be the difference between confidently getting to your destination on time or not.
“If your device can charge wirelessly, you can simply roll up and power up, and there are USB-A as well as USB-C ports on offer for those who need a charging cable.”
