Downtown Bus Shelter Designs Revealed

[brainstormer]

As usual you make excellent comments Ock.  The problem is that Jacksonville can't even find a box to get in before it can step out.
A few thoughts.  I believe the three options are just for downtown bus stations.  I think the idea of ambient lighting would be pretty cool and would make bus stops easy to spot at night.  Maybe just start by lighting up bus shelters on Bay street and see how it adds to the atmosphere.  I also love the recycling bins and covered bike spaces in your examples.  Of course, here in Jacksonville we don't promote recycling or biking for that matter, so I'm sure those wouldn't ever be approved.
When JTA begins to expand bus shelters to areas outside the urban core, something like the extended roof would be perfect for Blanding and Atlantic where bus wait times are longer.  The extended roof also looks like it would allow more people to fit under the covered area.
I don't think we have to stick with one consistent model.  Bus shelters should be chosen to fit the area.  One size should not fit all in this case.

[tufsu1]

If the private company provides the shelters, why don't they bid the contract and have the private company participate in the shelter selection?  The shelter type might be of interest to the private company that is to buy, install, maintain, and run ads on them, ya' think?  Also, the locations.  Do they have any bidders qualified yet?

guess you didn't notice that the shelter designs come from a specific company?

you may want to look at www.tolarmfg.com

as for the your assumptions about Haskell, I highly doubt it....best guess is they used ads they already had on hand (like those that are on buses).

[CS Foltz]

All three options are variations of the same basic design..........suprised that no body picked up on the lack of seating? One bench to fit 3 people on seems somewhat lacking! I know that the urban outdoor persons are being discouraged with the design but really! Individual seats with arm rails might be a better design but what do I know! For this we need "Advertisements" and the like?

[tufsu1]

All three options are variations of the same basic design..........suprised that no body picked up on the lack of seating? One bench to fit 3 people on seems somewhat lacking! I know that the urban outdoor persons are being discouraged with the design but really! Individual seats with arm rails might be a better design but what do I know! For this we need "Advertisements" and the like?

3 seat shelters are pretty much the norm around the country CS (do some google searching)....when you have a more crowded stop, you install an extended shelter or 2 helters next to each other.

[CS Foltz]

sorry tufsu1............did not think I needed to google search something that should be standard. Seating should be something to consider for any shelter, I am refering to shelters that should have more than one person waiting for the next bus.............think that JTA has those figures or should I make an educated guess based on what I have seen in my world? No more than 2 to 4 at anyone time and have yet to see any bus with more than 10 to 12 persons onboard! Advertisments should have no bearing on the number of shelters plain and simple!

[tufsu1]

well if there is never more than 2 to 4 at any one time, then 3 seat shelters should suffice, right?

[stjr]

If the private company provides the shelters, why don't they bid the contract and have the private company participate in the shelter selection?  The shelter type might be of interest to the private company that is to buy, install, maintain, and run ads on them, ya' think?  Also, the locations.  Do they have any bidders qualified yet?

guess you didn't notice that the shelter designs come from a specific company?

So what?  Maybe the ad company doesn't approve of the economics of having that model or has a better suggestion, having worked in other cities.  What's coming from a specific company have to do with anything?  My point was JTA is making the decision for the ad company to-be and that may predispose the outcome of the project.  Put another way, JTA is looking for a partner, but only one that they make all the decisions for.  Not much of a partnership.

as for the your assumptions about Haskell, I highly doubt it....best guess is they used ads they already had on hand (like those that are on buses).

I guess you don't know how politically connected Mr. Haskell is.  And, since when did a company like Haskell (a design/build contractor) ever advertise on a bus, especially in this town.  This seems like a silly cover, Tufsu.  Try another one from the make-excuses-for-JTA playbook  

[CS Foltz]

Gentlemen......something about this just smells to high heaven! JTA could not plan their way out of a trash barrel and these clowns are the keeper of the transportation flame? Advertising, all those big dollars that come with it too, is not the panacea that they make it out to be! Just one more example of the GOB Network hard at work lining their pockets at the publics expense! I wonder who has been tapped to win this and what they had to do to win it?

[tufsu1]

guys...here's how it likely works...JTA worked with the shelter company to design a shelter to their liking...and once the final design is chosen, Tolar (or their partner) will install and maiontain them.

[blizz01]

Looks like Option 3.

Bus shelter design approved by DDRB
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=531125
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s program to install more bus shelters for mass transit users took another step Thursday when the Downtown Development Review Board of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission approved a design for the new street furniture.
City Council enacted Ordinance 2009-401 approving the shelters with the condition that JTA submit three designs to DDRB, which would evaluate each and select one for implementation. JEDC staff worked with JTA on the development of three designs based on requirements for historic design, color scheme and transparency.
The board discussed whether the shelters should be constructed of clear material or a perforated metal for maximum transparency.
Board member Chris Flagg said being able to see what’s behind the shelters is an issue in terms of comfort level when it comes to safety. He also said the existing shelters aren’t transparent enough to prevent people from concealing themselves behind the shelters.
“Transparent shelters can be hot and the maintenance cost is higher,” said JTA Director of External Affairs Mike Miller.
JEDC Deputy Executive Director Paul Crawford said he had recently been in Boston and observed clear bus shelters. He said vandals had used marking pens to put graffiti on the shelters and the process of removing it scratched the material, rendering it nontransparent.
After some discussion, the board selected a design that Miller said was the JTA’s first choice. In a rare non-unanimous decision, DDRB members Chris Flagg, Andy Sikes, Montasser Selim and Jim Bailey were in favor of the design while Logan Rink cast the dissenting vote.
DDRB also approved the final design for restoring brick, replacing windows and light fixtures and constructing a fenced and gated courtyard at the Law Office of Farah & Farah at Ocean and Adams streets.
The courtyard will be on the south side of the building on the site where the Lerner Building was demolished. Its use will be generally restricted to those who work in the Farah & Farah Building, but the space will be made available to the public for special events, including Art Walk and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, said Tom Hurst, principal of Dasher Hurst Architects.
“It’s a small space, but I think it’s going to be a nice space,” he added.
The next meeting of the DDRB is 2 p.m. June 24 on the second floor of the Police and Fire Pension Fund Building at 1 W. Adams St.
mmarbut@baileypub.com 356-2466

[thelakelander]

Option 3

[stjr]

So much for the opinions of MJ posters who seemed to strongly favor Option #1. 

[thelakelander]

I'm not really a fan of Option 3, but whatever. Get them up already!

[tufsu1]

Option 1 would have been nicer, but upkeep could have been a problem...I've seen many shelters (in other cities) where the plexi-glass is scratched or discolored.....that said, I preferred Option 2 over Option 3...oh well!

[thelakelander]

Upkeep will be an issue with all options.  Nothing they put up will stand the test of time and vandalism.