The Fort Worth Transportation Authority board today will consider buying 30 new shelters, to help its riders escape the heat, rain and other elements while waiting for a bus. A common complaint at the T is that there aren't enough shelters, especially on neighborhood routes. The T last year installed new bus shelters in the downtown area.
The new shelters that the T board will consider today cost about $419,000. Of that, 80 percent would be covered by federal transit enhancement funds, and the remaining 20 percent would come out of the T's capital budget. The T board meets at 4 p.m at 1600 E. Lancaster Ave., and will consider awarding the contract to Tolar Manufacturing Co. The contract includes enough supplies to build 30 shelters, and spare parts to make repairs on them for years to come, T spokeswoman Joan Hunter said.
If the item is approved, the new shelters likely will be installed by early summer, officials said.
Improving passenger comforts is a priority for the agency, according to its long-term strategic plan approved last year. And when it comes to shelters, the task ahead is gargantuan. Fewer than one in 20 bus stops in the Fort Worth area has a shelter, T records show.
Of the 2,604 stops on T bus routes, only 141 have shelters, and 419 have benches.
-- Gordon Dickson, gdickson@star-telegram.com
Photo: This portrait of T board member Reby Cary (right) was taken by the Star-Telegram's Rodger Mallison, at a southeast Fort Worth bus stop in November.
We also need larger buses on the number 9 route. If two wheel chairs board the bus that cuts out 8 seats leaving at time 8 passengers having to stand. Some of us that need to use those front seats do not have obvious handicaps and we are looked at and even harassed if we ask not to be moved to accommodate a wheel chair. I for one have very bad knees and a bad hip and have been told I need to locate another seat. When they always put a small bus on my route I have to climb the steps to move to another seat. If we could have larger buses without the steps it would make it easier for us that have bad knees and hips to move to the back seats and stay put.
Posted by: Deborah | February 16, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Yes! There definitely needs to be more shelters I would ask the.T to consider University Drive along the zoo and Botanic Gardens area. And sidewalks too. It is extremely difficult for a person in a wheelchair to navigate that area to catch a bus, not to mention unsafe. As for the previous comment, I agree with you. Being in a wheelchair, I know I'm taking up a seat space and I do feel that someone with an unseen disability should be able to use the front seat. I also understand that you can't "prove" your disability. But, If we continue to talk to T officials maybe someday they will listen.
Posted by: Roivon Evans-Moore | February 16, 2011 at 01:43 PM
This is a great idea! Fort Worth should look into bus shelters with solar panels affixed to the roof, that provide clean and free energy to light up the shelters at all hours of the day and night, like these: http://bit.ly/ibjmy8
They cut down on costs, make riding transit safer, and promote green thinking all around!
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