New shelter a big improvement

New shelter on 10th & Parade is big improvement.

• “Watch-window” is kept clear so that riders can watch for bus. (very important in helping riders be ready for bus when it arrives, and this helps drivers keep to schedule.
• Schedules and other info are kept on the back and sides so they don’t interfere with bus-watching.
• Large ramp from street with gentle slope.
• Area for mobility device to wait.
• Dedicated announcement panel, which hopefully means no more festooning bus stops with announcements and info.
• Announcemement panel is translucent.
• Bright green and blue colors go well with the minipark that the Benedictine sisters maintain on that corner, and make the stop more attractive as well as being more visible.

A couple concerns:

• Front of shelter is wide open, which leaves riders more exposed to adverse weather. Maybe the open front has a purpose (crime and loitering deterrent?), just wondering.
• If they are considering color scheme for all stops, it might be worth consulting with businesses right near it who might find it overpowering their own schemes. Those bright colors work nicely on that corner and at 18th & State, but maybe not so much in other places.

Also worth noting is that there are two other places to sit... a bench on the corner, and a rock bench in the mini-park.
I am told the new shelter was installed to replace one that had been hit by a vehicle.
Before I learned this, I had asked the Benedictine Sisters if they were involved with the installation. Sister Pat Lupo OSB has given me permission to reprint her response:

The Neighborhood Art House Green Team has adopted the lot at the corner of 10th & Parade. We did not have anything to do with the new bus shelter itself, as far as I know that was routine maintenance by EMTA. The property is owned by the City of Erie Redevelopment Authority. We have planted 3 trees and prune all the trees occasionally with the City Arborist Sarah Galloway. We take care of the flower beds, we weed, plant new flowers and mulch them; we occasionally enlarge them. We try to maintain the path that cuts through the property. We also cut the grass when the City lets it get too long.
The Green Team would like to have trash cans at this Bus shelter and the one at 10th and Holland. We also care for the 7 trees in that block between Holland and French Sts  (Pat Lupo, OSB via email 10/10/2017)

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Also worth noting is that there are two other places to sit... a bench on the corner, and a rock bench in the mini-park.