GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The City of Gainesville is implementing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant improvements to a few RTS bus stops around town.
The City of Gainesville’s Regional Transit System (RTS) is making several improvements to help make public transportation “more comfortable and convenient.”
The city says the project is budgeted at $1,990,569 and is funded through grants from the Federal Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation.
The bus stops that will receive upgrades are in various locations around Gainesville, according to the city. Improvements to bus stops will depend on the “needs identified at each location,” as outlined by the city.
Improvements to bus stations include:
- Installation of sidewalks with compliant curb ramps
- Retrofitting of existing curb ramps
- Increased pad space for passengers in wheelchairs
- Updated shelters with adequate seating, side and roof panels
- Improved lighting
“This is an important step to improve our current transportation infrastructure. We want all RTS bus stops to be comfortable and easy to use,” said Transportation Director Jesus Gomez. “The funding for this project allows us to renovate nine percent of the roughly 1,100 bus stops across the system.”
The city says the project moves them closer to their goal of providing “equitable transportation options” throughout its four districts.
According to the city, public transit projects are not the only thing in the works; the planning and designing of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Vision Zero projects to improve traffic safety, and efforts to reduce transportation barriers for everyone are all tasks on the city’s agenda.
The bus stop improvement project began on September 13 with the 3000 block of NW 83rd Street bus stop near Santa Fe College receiving the first line of upgrades, according to the city.
The city promises work on the entire list of 100 bus stops will continue over the next several months, with construction slated to be completed by April 2025.