Kalamazoo Metro Transit

Kalamazoo-area voters will head to the polls Aug. 4 to decide whether to continue to support fixed-route public transportation with a .75 mill property tax request that would expand current services offered by Kalamazoo Metro Transit. In addition to maintaining existing fixed-route services, the millage would also support daytime Sunday service for 16 routes and expanded nighttime service for 15 routes, including the Westnedge Avenue route to Crossroads Mall and Meijer in Portage. (Daytona Niles/Kalamazoo Gazette)

(Daytona Niles)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Up to 35 bus stops across the City of Kalamazoo will receive upgraded and accessible shelters.

During a five-year period, 30 small bus passenger shelters measuring 9 feet by 5 feet and up to five large bus passenger shelters measuring 18 feet by 5 feet will be upgraded. The shelters will be enclosed and compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

"One of the number one requests that I get from the public are for additional shelters," said Sean McBride, Kalamazoo Metro Transit transportation director. "We are trying to meet their requests and we have to meet ADA standards."

Bids were solicited in June and sent to 23 contractors. The Kalamazoo City Commission awarded to Detroit-based Brasco International for $160,000 at its Monday, Sept. 19 business meeting.

The investment in shelters is an area that has been identified at community meetings by the public and riders as an area for investment. The designs call for an aluminum frame holding tempered safety glass, with aluminum benches and backrests.

A 3-D rendering of the large bus shelter proposed by Brasco International.

The ADA Standards issued by the Department of Transportation apply to facilities used by state and local governments to provide designated public transportation services, including bus stops and stations, and rail stations.

Existing shelters are already ADA compliant, McBride said. Construction should begin in spring 2017, after grants are approved.

The use of Federal Grants for shelter investment was reviewed and approved at public meetings of the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study and Kalamazoo Transit Authority Board.

New shelters will be funded 80 percent by Federal grants and 20 percent through State grants.

Enables an individual in an wheelchair to acess the bus stop shelter and some of the requirements has to be concrete pad, shelter has to be accessible to get inside so when we design these stops. have to be flat piece of land.

McBride said the plan calls for up to 35 shelters, though fewer could be built if some bus stop locations require more work to install.

"Bus stops and shelters usually at the top of residents' concerns," he said. "If you're waiting outside for half an hour stay these let you stay out of the rain or buffer against snowy cold in the winter."

The City also approved an agreement with the Central County Transportation Authority and Oshtemo Township to continue bus service along West Main Street from U.S. 131 to 9th Street. The route will include stops at Meijer at 9th Street and West Main.

The Oshtemo Township board opted out precincts 3 and 9 from the CCTA boundary, so route then was not included as part of an Aug. 4, 2015, millage, which funds regional bus service.

The fee to continue service to Oshtemo Township for the first year of service will be $62,754 from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2017. The City of Kalamazoo will continue to provide the bus service until Sept. 30, 2016 but after Oct. 1, the CCTA will assume the responsibilities of the agreement.