B.C. funds new shelters for transit riders

VICTORIA — Transit riders will soon find themselves drier and more comfortable while waiting for their bus.

B.C. officials have announced the province will spend nearly $4 million installing approximately 150 new and refitted public bus shelters throughout the province.

In a virtual announcement, B.C. officials explained the province needs safe, accessible and reliable public transit to get residents to work and home, to attend appointments, shop for essentials and conduct business.

The new bus shelters feature weather-specific upgrades as well as better lighting and seating. Increased accessibility standards will allow more individuals to access the public transit system.

Both levels of government are each investing more than $1.9 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. Local governments, through BC Transit, are contributing $986,000 to this project.

“New and refitted bus shelters will improve the day-to-day commuting experience for public transit users,” said Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, in a statement. “It’s great to see federal funding go towards public transit in my home province and towards supporting cleaner and better-connected communities.”