The truth about the new bus shelters

There has been a lot of controversy about the new bus shelters which have been installed around Yate and Chipping Sodbury, with seemingly nearly new and immaculate bus shelters being ripped up and replaced at our, the tax payers expense.

I knew that there was a new scheme coming in whereby there would be a display on the bus stop showing the arrival time of the next bus. I couldn't understand why the complete shelter had to be removed and replaced with another one for this to happen. 

I phoned South Glos.Council for an explanation and was told that bus shelters where installed and looked after by Yate Town Council. After a phone call to the Town Council I was told no, bus shelters are South Glos. Council's responsibility.

I at last spoke to Daryl Ferguson at South Glos. who was most helpful. The whole shelter needs to be replaced as the new display board is integral to the shelter and hangs down from the ceiling. The buses send signals to the bus shelters so that accurate arrival times can be displayed. An audible device will be fitted for blind people. The separate posts will eventually just have the Bus Stop sign..

He told me that the Greater Bristol Bus Network in conjunction with the council have installed 120 of the new bus stops in South Gloucestershire, many around Patchway and the the shelters in Yate and Chipping Sodbury would be finished off this year or next year.