Why all bus shelters are not created equal

Back to school season is on the horizon, and before you know it, the leaves turn, signaling that colder temperatures will be with us once again.

While some kids are fortunate enough to have a warm school bus waiting to pick them up, adults who depend on transit for the commute to work may not always have such luck as they race to a bus stop. Congestion on the road and rush hour delays are an evitable part of waiting for a bus or train to get from point A to point B.

Urban transportation systems require safe, effective shelters for passengers to keep warm and toasty during cold, harsh winter climates. Well-designed and efficiently manufactured bus shelters are particularly important in zones with increased levels of ridership or in certain neighbourhoods and commercial areas that need frequent service.

So why are all bus shelters not created equal? Consider the following factors when it comes to constructing a top-notch bus or transit shelter so that you and your business are not stuck out in the cold.

At ease accessibility: make sure getting in and out of shelters is as easy as A-B-C. Boarding and disembarking the bus easily is a key factor when considering building a shelter from the ground up.

Capacity: design a shelter that accommodates enough people based on the particular route, neighbourhood and peak travel times, such as rush hour commuters or weekend travellers so that passengers don’t resemble a tin of squished sardines.

Low maintenance: construct shelters with anti-corrosive, easy-to-clean and durable materials. Shelters engineered with anodized aluminum framing, scratch and shatter-resistant glass and limited movable sections ensure that both the shelter and passengers withstand rainy, snowy or stormy weather. Also, your pocketbook will thank you for the lower repair costs, savings which can go back into your business' piggybank.

Structure of shelter: the basic anatomy of fabricated shelters include glass panels, lights, a roof, seating and signage.

• Glass paneling: opt for clear glass panels to boost passenger visibility.

   

• Lighting: let there be light! Backlit illumination inside the shelter is a bright idea, particularly for desolate or poorly lit areas, as well as a way to increase passenger safety and impede potential vandalism.

   

• Roofs: go with a dome-shaped roof to allow precipitation to flow off the roof so it doesn’t collect moisture.

   

• Seating: let passengers have the ability to take a load off. If you want to get really fancy, moulded seats that have an ergonomic shape would leave a lasting impression – literally and figuratively. 

   

• Signage: knowledge is power! Create a space to post route info, city maps, schedules and emergency contact numbers inside the walls of the shelter that doesn’t obstruct people’s view.

Visibility: provide clear (or lightly tinted) tempered glass to shelters so that passengers are able to view the approach of oncoming bus easily with no obstruction, as well as so drivers don't unintentionally miss a shrivering passenger who may be turning into an icicle at the bus stop.

See how Canada Kiosk raises the roof in kiosk and shelter manufacturing today with their line of C-2000 Shelters that include maintenance free, clear anodized aluminum framing and tempered glass materials.

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