Blue Water Area Transit upgrades bus shelters, providing safety and modern-look to Port Huron

Mike Bica sat back and relaxed while waiting for the number five bus to arrive. 

Like many passengers of Blue Water Area Transit, Bica has found comfort in the newly upgraded bus shelters around Port Huron. 

“I don’t know much about them but I think they are a good thing,” says Bica, sitting across from Pine Grove Park. “Whatever they can do to continue improving the service in the area is always a good thing. I don’t take the bus too often, but when I do it’s nice to see the improvements they have made.” 
Mike Bica waiting on the number five bus on Pine Grove Avenue.
During the past year, 15 of the 33 bus shelters around Port Huron have been replaced with upgrades. That includes shelters at Port Huron High, Port Huron Northern High Schools, Community Mental Health, and the St. Clair County Courthouse.

The upgraded shelters are part of an overall plan to continue providing exemplary service to residents. Like Bica, many other residents have also taken notice of the improvements.

“I like it,” says transit rider Arthur Drew. “It’s a good service. They do a good job here. I used to ride the bus all of the time when I had more money. I would especially ride it downtown when I would meet up with people. [The shelters] come in handy especially when it is raining outside. That’s when you really notice them and are happy about them. I hope they continue doing what they can to upgrade wherever they can and make it nicer.” 

Last year, BWATC received a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration for $154,000 to help purchase modern, American-made shelters, with installation provided by local contractors. BWATC General Manager Dave McElroy says the new shelters were part of the overall plan to upgrade the system.

“It is going very well,” McElroy says. “We received the first 15 last year as part of the grant from MDOT and the Federal Transit Administration. We have nine more on order that should be here this month or early next month.
Previous bus shelter on Krafft Road in Port Huron.
“The shelters we had in place, the majority had been installed in 2008 and they had met their useful life. They were dated and had plexiglass. They were easy to deface and vandalize. We will still have eight more shelters we will need to upgrade. In the next year or two we will prioritize shelters on a number of categories and we will move forward with the funding we have at the time.”

There is a hefty cost for each of the upgraded shelters. They come with tempered glass and include solar-charged lighting for additional safety, totaling just over $14,000 for each shelter after installation. 

Not only have the new shelters been an upgrade for local riders, but they have also enhanced the appeal of Port Huron. It is easy to notice the difference the new shelters have made to the city’s landscape just by walking or riding by them. 
A newly built bus shelter is on Krafft Road in Port Huron.
“The new stations have a much more modern and clean design,” says Port Huron City Manager James Freed. “The extended use of glass really makes them look sharp. As most know, our public transportation system is a leader in the state and a critical part of our local economy. Whether investing in infrastructure or technology, Blue Water Transit has always been a cutting-edge leader. Our community is better for the hard work they do.”

One of the features of the upgraded shelters is solar-powered lighting. It makes it easier to see the surrounding areas near the shelters at night, providing a greater sense of safety. 

“[The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission] is proud to offer our riders new, upscale bus shelters using green, solar-powered lighting,” says Commissioner and BWATC Board Chairperson Linda Bruckner. “Riders can enjoy the ridership experience while helping our environment. Safe and secure shelters enhance our community image and provide our riders greater customer satisfaction.”

Solar panel on a bus shelter on Krafft Road in Port Huron.

The commission also stated its appreciation to the community for helping monitor and prolong the life of the new shelters. Anyone interested in adopting a shelter can email Lee-Perry Belleau at info@bwbus.com. 

Consistent community involvement in the upkeep of the shelters would help prolong the life and functionality of the new shelters. 

“Our riders motivate us and remind us to do great things every day,” McElroy said. “We are lucky to work with a great group of drivers and dispatchers. They are very serious about their jobs to go from point A to point B. We have a great maintenance staff and everyone here has a professional outlook on what we do.”

“They make a difference,” says Dave Pace, Port Huron resident. “They are cleaner. You notice right away that these [shelters] are way better looking. Blue Water Transit is doing a good job. I like what they are doing. The little lights they have in here for the last run of the night are good. It makes people feel safer. It is appreciated.”