Bus rapid transit is spreading across the country. Residents of the progressive Minneapolis-St. Paul area welcomed an expansion of theirs in June 2016 when Metro Transit opened the A Line BRT, the region’s first of a dozen planned arterial BRT lines serving core arterial streets. Residents hopped on board A Line immediately, raising ridership by 32% the first year of operations.
A Line serves high-traffic Snelling Avenue, Ford Parkway and 46th Street. “Reaction has been extremely favorable,” says Katie Roth, project manager for Metro Transit BRT/Small Starts. “We wanted to strengthen our most used routes with faster service and a more visible presence to attract riders.” It worked for the more than 4,500 riders who use the A Line each day.
Contributing to the A Line’s success are 38 bus shelters and 40 signage pylons engineered by Duo-Gard, finished in clear anodize by Linetec. The shelters are sized in small, medium and large, ranging from 7’x17′ to 7’x40′ and are installed according to site conditions and ridership patterns.
In keeping with Metro Transit’s emphasis on accessible public transportation that fits into the community it serves, the shelters are sophisticated in both form and function. Standing-seam silver aluminum roofs feature a distinctive curve, complemented by clean, contemporary framing in a durable clear anodized finish. Style was an important element, says Roth, whose team presented Duo-Gard with the architectural concept.
“It was important that the design be easily replicable for future expansion, as well as easily maintainable,” she says. “We wanted the aesthetic to convey speed of service, shown in the sleek curvature of the arched roofs. Of course, we needed weather protection and personal security, and we also wanted to maintain openness and an easy flow.” Read more
