A neighbor snapped these pictures of construction crews taking down the old brown bus shelters at Takoma Metro. And I suspect quite a few regular commuters will be happy to see them go!
Goodbye to the missing Plexiglas, scratched-up panels, graffiti, and those mysterious odors that make you hope it was somebody's dog, even though you know better.
The shelters have certainly seen better days, and replacing them is long overdue.
What's happening at Takoma Metro?
Metro is replacing the aging shelters around the Takoma Station bus loop. The replacements will have translucent walls, roofs with LED lighting, improved accessibility, and designated seating. Some of the shelters in Metro's regional system have been in service for nearly 50 years.
Construction began September 21 and is scheduled to continue through November 29. Rather than closing the entire bus loop, crews are working in stages, temporarily moving boarding locations as each shelter is replaced.
Important information for Takoma bus riders
| Dates | Routes Affected | Temporary Boarding |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 19–Nov. 1 | C77 | Stop T1 |
| Oct. 19–Nov. 1 | C75 | Bay C |
| Nov. 2–15 | Ride On 14, 24 | Bay C |
| Nov. 2–15 | Ride On 12, 13 | Stop T1 |
| Nov. 16–29 | Ride On 16, 18 | Bay C |
Temporary boarding locations may change. Check Metro's official Takoma Station advisory.
These are temporary boarding changes at Takoma Station, not announced changes to the routes themselves. Follow the signs around the bus loop to find your bus.
For many of our neighbors, the bus is how they get to work, school, medical appointments, and the grocery store. And anyone who has spent 20 minutes waiting for a bus in the rain knows that the condition of a shelter matters.
I'm glad the old shelters are finally getting attention. Now let's hope the replacements hold up better, are properly maintained, and don't become the next generation of scratched-up brown boxes.
And thanks to our neighbor for capturing the work in progress!
Useful Takoma Station links
Takoma Station temporary boarding changes, September 21–November 29
Shelter replacement project and what the new shelters will look like
