Bus shelters come in various designs and sizes, with some made of plexiglass to allow passengers to see when their bus arrives. They are more common in major transfer stations and central bus stations. Cities may work with companies to obtain a uniform design or coordinate the shelter’s appearance with the surrounding architecture. Maintenance is necessary to keep shelters clean and attractive to passengers, which can increase the willingness of people to take the bus and reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
A bus shelter is an enclosed waiting area located near a bus station or stop that can have a wide variety of design and functions. The simplest bus shelter might just have a back wall and two side walls with a bench or two to sit on while waiting for a bus. Others are much larger, may be constructed of various materials, and may have multiple benches. Plexiglas is a common choice since you can see through it to see when your bus arrives.
Large shelters are common at major transfer stations, where many people will wait to change buses or board a bus, or they can be found at central bus stations where people can take a variety of bus routes. They can be useful, when well maintained, for protection against inclement weather, particularly rain or snow, although some of them can get very hot if not sufficiently ventilated or insulated.
Before you get excited and throw away your umbrella, keep in mind that buses that make many stops don’t always have bus stops at every stop. You might have a bank, if you’re lucky, but don’t have a bus shelter unless you’re taking a bus from an area frequently used by other passengers. For example, some bus routes in San Francisco stop every two blocks, but only a few of these stops, where most people board the bus, have shelters.
There are many companies that specialize in bus shelter design, and cities or transit organizations may work with a company to obtain a specific uniform design throughout the city, or to coordinate the appearance of the shelter with the surrounding architecture. For example, a city may find a shelter near a mall that looks more attractive if it matches the architectural style or theme of that mall. Ambition, design and cost all play factors in city planners or transit authorities deciding what a bus shelter will look like. Consideration of the weather in the area and the number of regular riders can help determine how many bus shelters should be erected.
An unfortunate sign of urban decay is the frequent dilapidation of bus shelters and frequent property damage that can be caused by less than perfect citizens. In larger cities, graffiti is quite common on shelter walls, and you should always look before sitting on a bench to avoid sitting on your gums. Some bus shelters have trash cans so waiting passengers don’t get dirty, but these require maintenance to keep the shelter in good repair. If a city has many shelters, it may not always be able to keep up with property damage, and older shelters in large cities can look and smell very unclean.
When cities can properly maintain each bus shelter and make it attractive to passengers, this can increase the willingness of people to take the bus. This can be an advantage for a city, as bus passengers reduce traffic congestion and pollution. A well-planned transportation system with clean, convenient bus stops can be a great thing.
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