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Politics & Government

Bus Shelter Meeting in Town Hall Examines Proposal

A meeting on proposed bus shelters in town hall looked at both sides of the issue.

A public meeting held Tuesday evening at Town Hall served as the introductory proposal for bus shelters to be erected at an estimated 10 stops along Massachusetts Avenue.

The meeting was headed by Laura Wiener, senior planner of Arlington's Department of Planning and Community Development, and Selectman Clarissa Rowe, who worked on a similar project – though on Boston's larger stage – years ago.

Rowe made it clear from the beginning, "Arlington has a long history of badly maintained, badly visible bus stops."

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According to research conducted by the MBTA for this project, Arlington has 11 bus routes, containing 163 stops (only five of which currently have shelters – most unsanitary, some handicap inaccessible), playing host to 7,600 riders daily.

Most of these riders commute along Mass. Ave; indeed, Route 77 is one of the busiest buses in the MBTA system, number 11, in fact. This is where the majority of the shelters are planned. The stops seem to be chosen by those with 50 to 100 boarders and the prerequisite conditions – for example, a sidewalk at least 10 feet in width.

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As presented by Erik Sheier of the MBTA, project director for operations, the MBTA Bus Shelter Program purports to "improve the quality of commute for customers" by providing "clean, well maintained, and community-friendly shelters."

A deflating budget has led the MBTA to mimic the European model, in which private companies enter into contract with the town and build shelters on which they sell advertising spaces. The revenue from the advertising pays for the shelter's maintenance, and a stipend is shared with the town. In Arlington's case, this would come out to an estimated $1,500 per year per shelter.

The MBTA is in partnership with a Spanish-based company, Cemusa. Cemusa and the MBTA are currently doing business with 13 cities in Massachusetts, including Cambridge, Chelsea, and Lynn. Sheier reported that every town is happy with the services inherent in Cemusa's contracts, including twice-a-week cleaning and 24 hour maintenance response.

This addresses one of the main concerns with the bus shelters, but did not fully satisfy many citizens' at the meeting fear of a "negative ambiance." Citing trashiness in Arlington center, they argued that the opportunity for vandalism, be it graffiti or destruction, is too great. Indeed, an Arlington trial in the late 1970's resulted in unsightly, vandalized bus shelters being deconstructed.

Other considerations included the placement of the shelters – would they obstruct businesses, etc. – and what advertisements are permissible. Since Cemusa is dependent on the town, the town at once has the ultimate decision in where the shelters are erected and what limitations can be set for advertisements. These are determined in the contract. The longevity of the contract – 15 years – was another concern.

Helen Rhodes, 72, said her spinal injury makes merely standing a burden. "For the past two years, I've taken the bus several times a week." While waiting for the bus, she laments, "There's simply nowhere to go."

"It's not just about me, either. We have many people suffering waiting for the bus," Rhodes said. Determined to make it all work, addressing fellow citizens' distresses, she implores what she calls her "village": "We can help keep these clean."

There will be another public meeting with the Board of Selectmen on an undecided date in September.

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