A railway station is a point at which trains stop to allow passengers to board and disembark from the train. It is also a place for people to change from train to bus or to other modes of transport such as taxis. The stations themselves vary in size, design and layout depending on the country, but in general they all provide a range of services that enable people to use public transport to travel between different areas.
A station can have a number of services that help to facilitate the travelling of its passengers, including ticket offices or machines, information desks, traffic information, toilets and car parking facilities. In some cases they can also include shops, eateries and kiosks, bureau de change offices, hotels and even a museum or art gallery. The most important functions are usually grouped together in the central area of the station near the main corridors and intersections while other less relevant services can be situated on other pass-ways at the station.
Many station buildings are designed to be as modern as possible and often have a similar look to airports. This is especially true for stations on high-speed rail lines like the Shinkansen in Japan, THSR in Taiwan or TGV lines in France and Germany. Some of the older and smaller stations have a more traditional appearance, with buildings set back from the tracks. In cities and towns, the main station building is usually a large, airy structure with a grand entrance.
Other features of a station can help to define its character and make it distinct from other types of building. For example, a station may have an island platform between the tracks or two separate platforms outside the tracks (side platforms). The platforms themselves can be raised above ground level or lowered below it. In the case of raised platforms, it is common to have steps between them and the station building. The platforms are sometimes covered by a roof to protect the passengers from the elements.
In some places, the stations serve both freight and passenger trains. In these cases it is not uncommon to have a separate depot for the freight trains. This can be particularly useful when the station is located close to the port or docks and is serving a major city or regional town, and the freight trains are being delivered or loaded from there.
As demand for public transport has increased, many stations have had to adapt their buildings and services in order to cater to the needs of people with disabilities. This can mean installing accessible lifts, escalators and stairways. It can also mean providing specific guidance to the platforms, such as tactile paving or platform screen doors to prevent people from falling off the edge.
Some stations are struggling to keep up with these changes. Smaller and rural stations are often underfunded and lack many of the new services required to accommodate people with disabilities. This is often the result of budget cuts at a national level, or a political decision to invest in more lucrative transport projects. It is therefore crucial that national governments prioritize funding for rail infrastructure and station renovations. Cooperation with local authorities and rejection of political localism can help to ensure that these facilities are maintained in the long term.
