The 67-year-old Croydon resident has multiple sclerosis and uses a motorised wheelchair to get around.

She relies on public transport to travel into the city for meetings, but each time she needs to catch a train to or from Ringwood station, she fears for her safety because of the steep ramp.

"It's definitely not Australian and New Zealand-standard compliant," she said. "I've even seen middle-aged people having difficulty getting up and down the ramp - it's just too steep.

"The other issue is mums with pushers - it's fairly unsafe for those people as well."

Ms Stevens is backing a petition launched by Maroondah Council last week calling on Victoria's two major political parties to commit to upgrading the station into an integrated public transport interchange.

Maroondah mayor Alex Makin said the current layout of the station failed disability-compliance standards.

In 2007, the state government spent $4.5 million on design works to integrate the public transport interchange with the Eastland redevelopment.

In September 2008, it announced $39 million for the bus interchange and Maroondah Highway station plaza project.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said a Coalition government would work with a wide range of local stakeholders.

"However, we will not be undertaking so-called upgrades that make it harder for many members of the community to access stations."

State government spokesman Chris Owner said

any decisions to upgrade Ringwood station would ensure it remained accessible for the elderly and passengers with special needs.

To sign the petition, visit www.maroondah.vic .gov.au or any council service centre.