Erzsi and Peter Gimes have become the faces of a campaign to make sure Woodford is not a "forgotten village" when it comes to accessing rail services.
The couple is advocating for proper disabled access at that railway station which they say attracts a large number of ageing and disabled residents. Erzsi has had two knee operations and struggles on the steep station stairs and ramp with "tree roots coming out of it", while her husband's multiple sclerosis has left him wheelchair bound.
"We're lagging behind in looking after the disabled," said Mrs Gimes, whose husband had to stop his work at the University of Technology prematurely because of his condition and now has difficulty navigating the rail network.
Mrs Gimes started the Woodford Railway Access Action Group last month with another equally concerned resident, Melinda Kelsey, and it's gathering momentum among the 2000 residents of the tiny village. They have letterboxed more than 25 per cent of the neighbourhood about their concerns and had their first meeting a fortnight ago at the Lawson Neighbourhood Centre.
"Woodford has got nothing other than the Transit Cafe, a church and a fire brigade, people are struggling here, community transport is expensive ... and there is a limited bus service in the afternoon," Mrs Gimes said.
"Up until now I've been overburdened with my health concerns and Peter's - but we believe that the stations in the Mountains should have access, there's an ageing population here in Woodford especially. Peter can't even go on the train to the library to borrow a book," she said.
Ms Kelsey, who uses a cane after an unsuccessful knee replacement, struggles at the station, as does her intellectually disabled daughter.
"The disability makes her very clumsy, she's tripped a few times down the ramp," she said.
Under the Commonwealth's Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines (2004), Sydney Trains needs to have provided wheelchair access to 245 stations by 2017. About 40 per cent of the 307 stations on the CityRail network, which includes the Blue Mountains, have ramps or lifts for the disabled.
"Our worry is if they [the State Government] don't achieve that [disabled access numbers] target they might shut this station, especially after cuts to services such as the Fish and the Chips, when numbers will be down," Ms Kelsey said.
Mrs Gimes said she had met with State Member for Blue Mountains, Roza Sage.
"She promised us the help, but she did not get back to us. We need tangible help not just empty rhetoric," she said.
But Mrs Sage told the Gazette she had a record of success with station access.
"I have personally met with members of the Woodford committee about their push for disabled access, an area I have a strong record in delivering results.
"After years of inaction by the previous government, a hardworking community in Wentworth Falls joined me to achieve a successful easy access result at their station and I have offered my advice and support based on this experience to the Woodford representatives.
"Labor's recently announced infrastructure plan has no commitment to any new station easy access upgrades."
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian has gone on record saying the government has a $770 million Transport Access Program to improve the range of public transport for the disabled and elderly and has indicated lift priority is decided by an evidence-based approach which looks at patronage, whether hospitals or educational facilities are nearby and accessibility of other nearby transport interchanges.
(The $770 million is for station upgrades, car parks, bus and ferry wharf upgrades - not just lifts.)
State Labor candidate for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said: "I support easy access facilities for all train stations and will work with the Woodford railway action group towards a positive outcome."
Leura architect, Ian McMillan, who is preparing a report on Blue Mountains railway stations, said only Blaxland, Springwood and Katoomba have lifts. Medlow Bath and Blackheath have no lifts but disabled access.
"There are a lot of people in the community who are frustrated and angry that they cannot access their train station. Money permitting, a lift can be achieved [for Woodford]," Mr McMillan said.
The Woodford action group plan would like help with their social media campaign. Contact: 4758 6396.