Hot sun illuminates bus stop design fail
A POORLY-thought-out bus stop has Toowoomba commuters seeking out garden beds to escape the heat.
A Chronicle reader snapped this photo at the Victoria Street bus stop outside Grand Central the other day, which shows bus passengers standing in garden beds to avoid the afternoon sun.
The reader said the situation was “ridiculous”.
“On 30 degrees sort of weather you’d think the bus seats would be accommodating to all waiting for their transport but no one actually sits on the seats because they are directly in the sun,” they said.
“Many end up just standing in the garden bed behind the seats just to get shade. Council needs to do something about it.”
The Chronicle contacted Toowoomba Regional Council, which said it was an issue for Translink.
A Translink spokesman said it was responsible for
“the basic pole and concrete slab that makes up the bus stop”, but that any additional equipment like seating and shade “were for council to determine and fund”.
“We will pass on this feedback to Toowoomba Regional Council to explore whether any changes can be made to provide a more
comfortable waiting environment for customers.”
The council’s infrastructure services portfolio leader Cr James O’Shea said the Grand Central redevelopment had allowed bus stops to be relocated to Victoria Street where the ground was flatter and disability compliance could be achieved, and that
many of the city’s bus stops were exposed to the elements.
“The bus stops in Victoria Street had to be located clear of the driveway entrances for the Grand Central development,” he said.
“While the sun can be hot in summer, it can also be welcome in the winter.”