THUNDER BAY — Passengers on Thunder Bay Transit may have noticed that a number of bus shelters have recently been removed.
Most of them will be replaced, but shelters at three bus stops are gone for good.
The transit department has taken down a total of seven shelters in various parts of the city this month, mostly because either the structures or their concrete pads had approached the end of their service life.
One shelter was also removed in June.
Out of these eight locations, three will receive new shelters and pads this year, while two will be replaced in 2024.
Transit has decided not to replace shelters on Broadway Avenue, Rosslyn Road and in the Castlegreen neighbourhood because of low usage or the availability of an accessible stop nearby.
The work is part of regular ongoing asset maintenance and the renewal of transit infrastructure.
Prior to the removal of a shelter, the transit department posts a notice on it a few week in advance advising passengers whether the removal is temporary or permanent.
A spokesperson told TBnewswatch that replacement costs can vary between $15,000 and $20,000 depending on individual site conditions, but all new shelters are designed to an accessibility standard which requires larger pads.
Thunder Bay Transit's approved annual capital budget provides funding for regular transit stop maintenance and upgrades.
Additional work is planned for the coming years as part of approved submissions from the city to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program which includes contributions from the city, the federal government and the Ontario government.
Funding announced under that program in 2020 included money for 40 new bus shelters.
The transit department maintains shelters at approximately 120 locations.
