The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) awarded Tolar Manufacturing Company a multi-year contract to build upwards of 50 bus shelters and accompanying street furniture in various configurations from its Signature Series line.
“The Tolar shelters have provided great quality to the riders of The COMET,” said John Andoh, executive director and CEO of The COMET. “Our subcontractor, AOS, a local construction company, stated that they were easy to build and the flexibility of the three designs allows the construction of these shelters in areas where right of way is tight. The switch in bus shelter was a perfect opportunity for The COMET to bring an attractive design that is easy to build to Richland and Lexington Counties.”
Three bus shelter sizes (eight feet, 16 feet and 30 feet) and related amenities incorporate customized elements including distinctive COMET branding to help further the agency’s commitment to “change how The Midlands views the bus.”
Other street furniture amenities include: attention to materials, such as perforated aluminum shelter walls with color logos that facilitate airflow in South Carolina’s hot and humid climate; sleek and modern Mesa benches with and without advertising options made in part from recycled materials; passenger amenities such as pole-mounted trash bins, branded bicycle racks, shopping cart corrals, and a free-standing information message center complete with integrated map case. The ADA-compliant bus shelters are also being designed to incorporate a solar power kit and revenue-generating advertising as needed in the future.
“Tolar Manufacturing has recently delivered twenty, 16-foot shelters as part of this project,” stated Scott Williams, business development manager, Tolar Manufacturing Company. “Integrating The COMET brand into the agency’s street furniture program is an exciting way to extend its reach into the local community and improve the transit experience for everyone.”
The manufacturer is delivering 10 more 16-foot shelters along with 10, 8-foot shelters in the coming weeks.
