Bright Idea: Transit Windsor installing solar-powered bus shelters

Transit Windsor riders waiting for the bus will soon be able to charge their phones at some of the city's stops.

• Transit Windsor ridership jumps as more students pack buses

• Transit Windsor starts testing out automated stop announcements

The transit authorityis buying solar-powered bus shelters that will provide better lighting at night, and some of them will include an added bonus, according to executive director PatDelmore.

"We'll even include using the solar power some USB ports to recharge acellphone," he said, adding those stops will be strategically located near the university and downtown.

Most of the existing shelters will be replaced, and the number of shelters around the city will be increased by about 50 more, Delmore added.

The project comes with a pricetag of about $1 million, but the director said it will largely be covered by federal grants.

"The shelters will have a new look to them. They'll have the curved roof,in addition to having solar panels to properly light the shelters," said Delmore. "We're very excited about that. It's a great new amenity that'll be there for our riders."