Some similar analysis has been done for high-rise apartment blocks vs low density houses:

http://www.thefifthestate.com.au/articles/high-rise-living-%E2%80%93-is-it-the-sustainable-answer/20345

I also spotted these signs at North Melbourne the other day, reminding train drivers to make an announcement.

Centralised messages from the control centre are a recent addition in the last year or so – I believe a feature of the new Digital Train Radio System? I’ve also head them used in the lead up to level crossing removal shutdowns.

It would be interesting to compare the environmental specifications of lifts versus ramps, such as energy consumption and efficiency. I suspect ramps would be more beneficial, environmentally, especially if covered appropriately to reduce heat radiation from concrete surfaces.

Some announcements are by drivers, but centralised broadcast announcements are being rolled-out and have been heard on some trains. They usually begin with something like “This is Bernadette from the network control centre”.

Whoever wrote the announcements has given it some thought, ensuring that the key word “lift” is included multiple times for those who mishear the initial part of the announcement about “Parliament and Flagstaff” and “not available”/”closed”.

Re on train announcements: I’ve been on a few trains where driver announced lift closure at Flagstaff between Parliament and Melb Central – the issued statement did seem a bit too long for someone to read whilst driving a train.

Rather than relying on drivers, MTM or PTV really ought to have some means to broadcast a centralised message over the trains PA in the same way that Yarra Trams do

o dear the parliament station lifts never smelled bad ! but I suppose theyre staffed !! i mean the stations.

Headed downhill with a pram I prefer the ramp to a lift – it doesn’t stink of piss, and I don’t have to worry about the lift breaking down.

Hong Kong’s MTR network used stair lifts at station entrances to provide access for wheelchairs – the problem is that they require a staff member to operate, hence don’t provide independent mobility to all. As a result they were only used as an interim fix until the $$$ was spent to retrofit lifts.

http://www.checkerboardhill.com/2013/10/hong-kong-mtr-disabled-access/

Redundant access being the key point.