The Public Works Committee of the Los Angeles City Council has unanimously approved a request for a $30 million loan to upgrade and add bus shelters in underserved areas. The committee voted 3-0 to forward the request by the Board of Public Works for further consideration by the full council.
The Board of Public Works is seeking permission to utilize a $30 million loan from the Public Works Trust Fund for the installation of new shelters. The loan repayment schedule will be prepared, and additional funding sources will be identified to minimize interest.
A letter from the City Administrative Office clarifies that the trust fund, separate from the city treasury, holds deposits from permit applications.
Lance Oishi, a contract administrator for the Bureau of Street Services, revealed that the $30 million loan will be utilized to install 280 new shelters citywide. Of these, 230 will replace existing ones, while 50 will be placed in locations without adequate shade or shelter.
Oishi further stated that some of the existing shelters will be replaced and recycled, but the bureau has the option to refurbish and reuse others. The installation costs will prioritize sidewalk rehabilitation to ensure compliance with access codes.
Councilwoman Nithya Raman expressed support for repurposing recycled bus shelters and inquired whether this could be done concurrently with the installation of new shelters.
Oishi explained that a schedule would need to be developed. He mentioned that site improvements, such as sidewalk repairs and power connections, are necessary to receive a refurbished shelter. By installing new shelters, the cost of redoing construction at the site, estimated at $5,000 to $10,000, can be avoided, and inconvenience to the communities due to traffic disruptions can be minimized.
According to Oishi, installing new shelters at new locations is the preferred option to expand shade and shelter, which will also generate revenue for the city through advertisements. The revenue will be utilized to acquire more bus shelters and focus on addressing areas lacking adequate shelter while benefiting advertisers.
Before the vote, Eli Lipman, the executive director of Move L.A., a nonprofit organization advocating for public transportation improvements, urged the committee to approve the plan, emphasizing the importance of bus shelters as a climate resiliency and mitigation measure.
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