Township to build more bus shelters
Waiting for the bus on Ridge Pike may soon get a little drier and a little less wind-blown.
“The township is at the point where shelters are needed, as many residents use public transportation.” — Limerick Supervisor Thomas Neafcy
LIMERICK >> Waiting for the bus on Ridge Pike may soon get a little drier and a little less wind-blown.
Township supervisors are looking into erecting more bus shelters for an increasing number of riders of the SEPTA bus system.
The township is dipping its toe into the water by first committing to building just one — on Ridge Pike, west of the intersection with Township Line Road near the Walgreen’s Pharmacy.
Many people use that bus stop and SEPTA will not build one or take responsibility for one being built, Tim Haas, assistant to the township manager, told the supervisors during Monday night’s meeting.
A local business has volunteered to donate $5,000 toward getting a new shelter built there, so the board took a look at its options.
The model they settled upon has a partial enclosure to protect riders from the elements while they wait, as well as a bench and space for a wheelchair.
Supervisor Patrick Marroney said he would like to see something other than a flat roof, so the snow does not sit on the top of the shelter, and Supervisor Thomas Neafcy said he does not want to see any advertising on the shelters.
Neafcy also said there are four or five locations in the township where shelters are needed.
“The township is at the point where shelters are needed, as many residents use public transportation,” said Neafcy. “The time has come.”
The supervisors, who were told by Township Manager Dan Kerr that the township will have both maintenance and liability responsibilities for the shelters, said they will consider building more depending on how the current project goes.
If they do, they may have to deal with shopping carts piling up at the shelters, as currently happens at some of the shelters that already exist. Haas said the administration proposes a policy of calling the stores and telling them to pick up their carts, or they will be thrown away.