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Commissioner says planned bus-stop shelters fall short, cites riders left exposed
Summary
An unnamed St. Mary's County commissioner criticized a limited rollout of bus-stop shelters, saying the county expected more locations but will install only three shelters (plus two by community development), mostly on Great Mills Road, leaving many riders exposed to weather.
An unnamed St. Mary's County commissioner urged county officials to expand plans for covered bus stops after learning the county will install only three shelters, with two additional stops from community development, mostly on Great Mills Road.
The commissioner recounted seeing riders standing at the roadside to flag down buses and described an elderly resident who once waved at what turned out to be a FedEx truck. The speaker said fully enclosed shelters raise safety concerns but praised transparent plexiglass-style shelters and urged a wider rollout, saying the limited number is not enough for county need.
The commissioner said he had expected 10 or 11 shelter locations but learned the number was much smaller. He cited examples of riders waiting near the Bean Center on Route 235 and along other county roads, including Route 5, and said the county should do more to protect riders from rain, heat and cold.
The commissioner said he will continue pressing the issue during his remaining term, which he said is about 19 months.
Details from the meeting: the speaker contrasted an anticipated larger program ("10 or 11") with the current plan ("3" plus "2 from community development") and said all announced county stops are on Great Mills Road. The remarks occurred during an agenda item about county transportation infrastructure.
