Solar-charged bus shelters to be installed across city
A million dollars worth of new solar-powered transit shelters — 108 of them — are on their way to Windsor.
“It’s a very exciting project and we think it’s one that will really enhance the service,” Transit Windsor executive director Pat Delmore said of the new shelters designed to shield riders from the elements. They will feature curved roofs with solar panels that collect energy during the day to power lights inside the shelters at night to enhance safety. Some will have lighted advertising to generate revenue as well. And some will have USB ports so people waiting for the bus can recharge their phones. Transit Windsor currently has 154 transit shelters. Some of them have been around since the 1990s and are starting to deteriorate. So 60 of these new shelters will replace existing shelters, while 48 will be new installations, bringing the total to 202. The industry standard for shelter coverage (the percentage of bus stops that have shelters) is 25 per cent. The new shelters will bring Transit Windsor coverage from 12 per cent to 18 per cent. “We’re working toward 25 per cent,” Delmore said.
The money for the shelters is part of more than $20 million in new transit infrastructure funding, with the federal government providing $10 million and the municipality providing matching funds. Much of that money has gone to purchase 24 new buses, which have arrived in recent months.
A second phase of funding is expected in the coming year or two, so Delmore is hoping there will be money to add even more shelters. Until the new government money came along, Transit Windsor had been trying to replace about eight shelters a year.
The 108 shelters will start arriving in July, continuing through to October. So they should all be installed before winter weather arrives.
“Giving (passengers) a safe location to wait, away from the elements of the weather, it’s all about attracting new riders now,” Delmore said.