This long-time interstate truckie has described the stench of urine wafting from the toilets of a busy truck stop, as he tried to enjoy a meal at the dining area of the truckie’s lounge.
Bathurst-based driver Keven Mitchell says the state of the toilets and showers at the busy BP Eastern Creek site in Sydney is just not up to standard.
He took to TikTok to share his frustration, telling his followers, “I need to burn my boots after going into the toilet – it is the most disgusting I’ve ever been to.”
When Keven spoke to Big Rigs, he mentioned some of the positives at BP Eastern Creek – such as a dedicated area for truck drivers, good food at a moderate price and plenty of truck parking – but said the toilets and showers don’t reflect the same standard.
“It’s a real shame because this site is such a central hub. They have such a high turnover of vehicles coming in and out – and that includes trucks, cars and camper vans – but unfortunately their facilities don’t reflect the level of quality they should,” said Keven.
@truckingwithbkBP Eastern Creek good or bad . let me know your thoughts♬ original sound – bigkev
“As you walk towards the toilets, you’re met by a barrage of odour. My wife often comes with me in the truck and she’s at a point now where she won’t use the toilets at all at Eastern Creek.
“I know they do have cleaners, but I don’t know the frequency. It smells like a septic tank.
“As drivers we deserve a modicum of decency when using facilities, and so does the general public.
“No matter what, if I stop to use facilities at a truck stop, I will always buy something – it’s a user pays system. If you’re buying fuel, dinner or a drink, you should have the right to use decent facilities.
“I pay to use those facilities. I pay when I put fuel in my vehicle. I pay when I buy dinners. I always make sure I buy something when I go there. I buy something as a way of supporting that business.”
And Keven added that the showers are no better. “Even the showers, where there should be white silicone, it’s covered in black mould. And these issues aren’t just at Eastern Creek, it’s the same at a lot of different places.”
Though Keven added that it’s not just up to management to keep facilities clean. “It’s up to the drivers as well and unfortunately hygiene isn’t a priority for everyone!
“It also comes down to the drivers themselves. There are lot of operators out there who don’t care about the facilitates. There’s a rule of thumb many drivers adhere to when it comes to showers. We usually mop after a shower to keep the place clean. It’s not a spoken thing, it’s just what you do as respect for the next operator.
“At the end of the day, it’s about having clean facilities for operators. Nothing more, nothing less. They don’t need to improve the site at Eastern Creek, I just want them to keep it clean. To leave it like that and ignore the issue is not the answer.”
BP has been contacted for comment.
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