The Essentials of Public Bus Shelters

Good quality bus shelters are essential parts of any urban mass-transit system.  From the point of view of the city that manages bus stops, these shelters should require low maintenance and be resistant to vandalism.  From the point of view of the bus rider, several components might be important, like easy access to transit, comfortable, weather-resistant, safe, and more.

As it is essential to protect everyday bus riders, bus stops keep the normal routines going for everyday people.  So, in order to understand the need for bus stop buildings, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why having this type of building is so important.

The Need for Bus Shelters

What are the common needs that warrant a bus shelter to be built at a bus stop?  There are various situations that justify this decision.  From commercial areas with high volumes of riders, to weather-related preventative measures, bus shelters provide a dry, safe, and accessible space for the everyday bus rider.  This is especially important for areas in which buses access that are home to the elderly and handicapped.  It is essential for various communities to have a space built with quality to wait for the bus to arrive.

Visibility, Comfort & Convenience

Bus riders should not have any obstructions from the bus stop to the bus itself.  Poorly designed and outdated bus shelters might obstruct views, prompting people to leave the bus stop itself to watch for an oncoming bus arrival.  If the visibility of the bus is at all obstructed, and the riders must leave the shelter, the shelter really is not up to what is considered safe and convenient.  This is especially important for high-traffic areas with tourists as visitors are unsure of bus routes and exact times that buses arrive.  Shelters also should provide a place to sit and rest underneath a cover or structure to protect riders from inclement weather.

Strong Durability & Dependence

Considering its durability, bus shelters should be a structurally sound galvanized steel building.  These public spaces should not be compromised with cheaper materials, especially in higher-trafficked areas.  Wood is not a durable material, and concrete can appear monolithic, even prone to discoloration and degradation.  For flexibility, installation should be by means of bolted attachment rather than by casting in place.

Some of the optional features that come with your new bus stop include dual air conditioners, baseboard heating, vandal-proof lighting, benches, tinted glazing, and double-stack canopy, an aluminum storefront door with delay closer helps patrons get their luggage in/out, and exterior solar lights with motion sensors and a 3-day battery pack.  Stainless-steel bus stops can be used in snowbelt or seaside locations for years of corrosion-free, durable use.

The Overall Bus Transit System

It is important to think about how a new bus shelter applies to the overall city transit system.  There needs to be a healthy cooperation among the city, the little building manufacturer, and other parties involved with the management of the shelter.  The city must be willing to work effectively and allocate time and money to perform maintenance of shelters when they are needed.  Proper management of a bus shelter is indicative of a healthy flow of communication among distributors, council members, and the like.  A good maintenance program also has visible maintenance of litter collection, cleaning, and various minor repairs.

Little Buildings, Inc.: The Best Little Buildings on the Planet!

Little Buildings, Inc. has over 40 years of experience designing and building a quality bus stop, guard shack and guard house, portable ticket booth, smoking booth and more with only the best materials.  Our products are manufactured in our U.S. plant and shipped all over the world.  When you choose Little Buildings, you can be confident that you will be receiving the best quality known to the market!

Should you already have a sketch of your bus stop requirements, give us a call to set up an appointment at 1 (888) 55-BOOTH, or you can email it to us by filling out our contact form to request a quote.

Little Buildings, Inc. reserves the right to modify or improve models and features without notice.  Photographs may include features and equipment that are optional extras.  A sketch of the building will be provided for approval.