Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Sept. 12, 2022 – Why are Bus Stop Pads in the City of Burlington Getting Upgrades?

Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Sept. 12, 2022QUESTION:“Why are bus stop pads in the City of Burlington getting upgrades?”ANSWER:Why was the program initiated?

• In 2020 and 2021, Burlington Transit staff assessed every bus stop in the city – that's more than 900 stops! The review included condition assessments of accessibility, concrete, assets (bench, shelter, garbage container, bus stop pole and sign) and location.
• Burlington Transit regularly reviews the bus stops throughout the city, and routine assessments include many factors, such as safety and accessibility.

Why has the size of the pads increased?

• Several pads increased in size for accessibility and to adhere to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Many of our transit riders use mobility devices to help them get around, but not everyone is eligible for Specialized Transit using the City’s HandiVan service.
• The bus stop pads have been increased in size to allow both front and back doors to open on a concrete surface.
• Having a larger, wider pad ensures that everyone, including those with mobility aids, can enter and exit the bus easily and safely. While it’s easy to recognize these large pads in the summer, consider the accessibility challenges that exist when a bus stop is full of snow and a rider has to exit onto a snow bank, or on rainy days exiting the bus onto mud.
• While not everyone needs a larger pad right now, we have to consider how the city’s demographics may change in the future where more people may begin using mobility aids to get around and will be thankful for the extra space.
• The larger pads were presented to the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2019 who supported the larger size.

How many bus stops will be upgraded as part of this project?

• There are approximately 100 bus pads being upgraded as part of this project.
• A number of the new shelters will use solar power to illuminate the shelter ads.

What is the timing of the project completion?

• Weather permitting, the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the summer 2022.
• It should be noted that several of the stops will have new shelters installed. Due to supply chain challenges, these are delayed slightly.

We want to give a huge shout-out to Burlington Transit staff for their continued efforts to ensure that every transit rider has a safe trip from start to finish. The changes that this project brings to the City’s transit infrastructure will certainly be appreciated by many riders as soon as it is completed and for many years to come.

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RELATED LINKS:

• Mayor’s Mailbag – August 2022 Roundup – City Development Projects Webpage, Pickleball, & Tobyn Park Condo Update
• Mayor’s Mailbag – July 2022 Roundup – Millcroft OLT Appeal, Public EV Charging Stations, & Burlington Canal Piers
• Mayor’s Mailbag – June 2022 Roundup – Central High School Site; 535-551 Brant St. Development; & Mountainside Pool Reopening
• Mayor’s Mailbag – May 2022 Roundup – Twin City Agreements; LaSalle Park Community Marina; & Hydro Companies Removing Vegetation
• Mayor’s Mailbag – April 2022 Roundup – Support for Ukrainian Refugees; Burlington Taking on Climate Change
• Mayor’s Mailbag – March 2022 Roundup – Private Tree Bylaw, Masks, & Accessible Parking in Older Buildings
• Mayor’s Mailbag – February 2022 Roundup – Virtual Meeting Participation, Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund, & Accommodating Growth in Halton
• Mayor’s Mailbag – January 2022 Roundup – Parks’ Upgrades, Windrows When Snow Clearing