Did you know Surrey has 1,425 bus stops, of which 362 have shelters?
Probably not. Why would you? Unless, of course, you've been reading a corporate report that came before city council on Monday night.
The report, by Surrey's general manager of engineering Scott Neuman, concerns a two-phased project to deliver and install more bus shelters throughout the city beginning in July.
"With transit ridership in Surrey growing faster than all other cities in Metro Vancouver, enhancing weather protection to transit users is a priority to support existing riders and attract new ones," Neuman notes in his report, adding that 25 per cent of Surrey's stops currently have shelters.
The City of Surrey has entered into a 20-year agreement with Pattison Outdoor Advertising to provide up to 10 transit shelters per years, with ads, in high-ridership and high-visibility spots.
"Under this agreement, the City can request the installation of up to 10 shelters per year at locations of its choosing," Neuman said.
The agreement includes Pattison managing maintenance of the shelters. In the first phase the company has agreed to install 30 shelters at no cost to the City of Surrey, at locations where daily boardings are at or above 95 passengers.
The majority will be set up in North Surrey, where ridership is the highest, with a focus on routes along 128 Street in Newton and 108 Avenue in the City Centre.
Typically shelter placements get prioritized by ridership levels and the stop's proximity to urban places, Neuman noted, "where
Pattison can recover capital costs through future advertising revenue sharing.
"This approach can overlook locations with moderate ridership but low vehicle traffic. To improve accessibility across the city, staff recommend expanding shelter placement to include areas identified through public feedback and requests.
For this year $950,000 has been allocated from the Community Works Fund Agreement with city staff proposing to "support the capital costs of up to 30 additional shelters, as the funds will allow, in underserved areas."
Neuman said discussions are ongoing with Pattison to confirm operating and maintenance costs, which may be
offset by advertising revenue.
The first phase is from July to September and the second, September to December.
Neuman noted in his report that up to an additional 30 shelters may be installed through 2025 CFWA funding to "serve a broader range of neighbourhoods depending on public demand."
Council approved the report.
"Almost 60 covered bus shelters for our city is amazing to hear," Coun. Pardeep Kooner said.
"And I see a lot of them are along 128 and in really heavy traffic areas where I've seen people huddled under umbrellas."
