By Benjamin Millar
The rail network’s first official toilet area designed for assistance animals has been unveiled at Footscray Station.
The new Assistance Animal Relief Area (AARA) has been designed for assistance animals such as Seeing Eye Dogs to relieve themselves in a safe, accessible and comfortable area.
Fenced off from the rest of the platform, the turfed area has access to water, plastic waste bags and a lidded bin.
Footscray Station’s AARA is the first of five rolling out at stations across the Metro Trains network.
Vision Australia helped Metro Trains to develop the new rest areas.
Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs client Debra Simons, who was at the recent unveiling, said finding suitable areas for assistance dogs to relieve themselves is an important consideration when travelling.
“So to have them at stations is fantastic, especially for people on long journeys,” she said.
Footscray Station is the Melbourne train network’s busiest suburban station and a key stop on the regional V/Line network.
AARAs are also being rolled out at Parliament Station, Caulfield Station, Flemington Racecourse Station and Showgrounds Station.
