STATION-GOERS at Mentone say they are unhappy about unisex toilets at the train station and want gender-specific loos back for the sake of privacy.
The Friends of Mentone Station and Gardens chair Dorothy Booth says women who use the toilets are often confronted by the sight of male occupants in the two unisex toilets at Mentone Train Station.
“Men go in and don’t bother to lock the door,” she said.
“It’s embarrassing for people. What’s wrong with sex-specific toilets? All it requires is a simple change of label on the door.”
The toilets were changed from male and female toilets to unisex loos as part of the state government’s Bayside Rail Project upgrades including accessibility improvements at stations along the Frankston line such as Mentone two years ago.
Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Michelle Zydower said the switch to unisex toilets and installation of new locks and signage made the facilities compliant with Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
“The design of accessible toilets at Mentone Station recognises that a passenger with accessibility needs using the facilities may be accompanied by a carer of the opposite sex,” she said.
“Mentone is a premium station which is staffed from first to last trains and passengers can approach these staff if they have any concerns.”
Ms Booth said station staff are sympathetic to complaints but doubts there are “hordes” of disabled people regularly using the toilets at the station.
She noted the all-girls Kilbreda College is situated near the train station so females’ comfort with the toilets arrangement should be a priority.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 13 July 2016
