A T3 Transit bus stops in the Walmart parking lot in Charlottetown. Transit Matters Charlottetown says the city should prioritize more bus shelters. Photo by Alison Jenkins /Guardian fileArticle contentUNLOCKING THE POWER OF BUS SHELTERSTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentA recent CBC article on the City of Charlottetown’s budget for new bus shelters stated that the City of Charlottetown plans to allocate $100,000 for between six to nine new shelters per year over the next five years.Article contentArticle contentAccording to the article, currently only 11 per cent of the T3 transit system stops have shelters (45 shelters for about 400 bus stops). If the city sticks to its five-year $500,000 budget, the additions would result in a minimum of 30 new shelters, bringing the total to 19 percent, and a maximum of 45 new shelters, or 22 percent of current bus stops, by 2029.Article contentArticle contentWhile there is no hard and fast rule for a shelter-to-stops ratio, many cities and transit agencies have developed internal guidelines to determine bus stop amenities including shelter placement and criteria for installations and future upgrades.Article contentResearch indicates that ridership grows at safely accessible, sheltered bus stops. A study by the University of Utah found that bus stops upgraded with a shelter, benches, and adjacent sidewalks dramatically increased ridership.Article contentA bus shelter is not a luxury; it provides a basic level of comfort and dignity to people waiting for transit. It not only enhances personal safety, but also improves the overall perception of public transit as a reliable mode of transportation. Better bus stops create better transit.Article contentWe urge the City of Charlottetown, as well as the towns of Stratford and Cornwall, to prioritize investments around bus stops to ensure safe and accessible public transit services for all.Article contentArticle contentBarbara Dylla, co-ordinator,Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentMVI A CRASS DISREGARD FOR TAXPAYERSArticle contentWell it’s on the radio this morning — the Prince Edward motor vehicle inspection will stay as it is. That decision clearly tells us taxpayers we will continue paying for a service and tax for something is not required or done. Well done, Minister Hudson, you are now on record of cheating Islanders out of $35 every time one buys a new car. I hope you are comfortable with continuing to collect this grasping tax payment.Article contentHere is what we pay for and are meant to believe really happens when a new vehicle is inspected at a dealership. Items required for inspection (1) windshields and glazing (2) wipers and washers (3) horn (4) mirrors (5) brakes (6) steering system. (7) suspension system (8) exhaust system (9) fuel system (10) tires and wheels (11) body and frame components (12) seatbelt system. (13) lamps = aiming.
LETTERS: P.E.I. letter writers on bus shelters and MVIs
