Waiting for the bus on a dark, rainy night just got a little nicer for those living north and south of Powell River.
qathet Regional District, with financial assistance from BC Transit, has installed four new bus shelters in electoral areas A and C.
“80 per cent of the cost for these shelters was covered by BC Transit,” said regional district manager of operations services Patrick Devereaux. The structures, located at Lund, Craig Road South, Black Point North and Lang Bay North bus stops, are solar-powered.
“They’re powered by solar panels on top so the shelters themselves are lit in the evenings so people feel safe and comfortable,” added Devereaux.
The four locations were researched and deemed to be the most popular bus stops based on driver and customer feedback, according to a media release from the regional district on Monday, August 26. More bus shelters at key locations may be added in the future, the release stated.
It is the hope that the addition of permanent shelters along bus routes will boost the use of regional transit and reduce the region’s carbon footprint, according to the release.
“We’re hoping that by giving people shelter, particularly in the winter months when it's colder, wetter and dark earlier, that it improves the use of rural transit,” said Devereaux, “and makes it a more pleasurable experience.”
