Photo: Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation / Courtesy
In their pilot program, the design of the canopies of the new bus stops, known as “La Sombrita”, was met with criticism by Los Angeles residents.
The prototype of the new canopies was installed at four transport stops, and are intended to provide shade and security for residents while waiting for the bus.
Ride Cool!🚏 Today, with @cd1losangeles, we unveiled “La Sombrita” at Union & 3rd! This new design pilot tests a low-cost infrastructure that can be quickly installed to improve the transit experience for those who rely on public transit with better lighting and shade. pic.twitter.com/NCJjXQ2372
— LADOT (@LADOTofficial) May 18, 2023
However, critics claimed that “La Sombrita” does not offer sufficient protection to all the people who await the arrival of public transport.
As part of the pilot program, the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation (LADOT) installed the new “La Sombrita” shelters in four communities.
The points where the new “shadows” were installed are: Garage Avenue and Hammel Street, in Boyle Heights; Saticoy Street and Kester Avenue, in Panorama City/Van Nuys; 103rd Street and Juniper Street, in Watts, and 3rd Street and Union Avenue, in Westlake.
The purpose of the new structures is to offer shade during the day and light at night, but due to their dimensions, some residents considered that they do not provide enough protection.
“I don’t see the point of this, but I suppose someone might need it. For a shelter, it’s not a good thing,” April Miller, a Van Nuys resident, told ABC.
Other people mentioned that the canopies should have a larger dimension to meet the goal of providing shade for people during the day.
The cost of each “Sombrita” is approximately $10,000 dollars.while the more traditional bus stops cost $50,000.
According to LADOT, the new canopies are the result of a recent survey of womenwho requested more light during the day and lighting at night.
“We have moms, we have loved ones who go to work before the sun comes up, who come home after the sun goes down. So this creates an opportunity for them to feel safe,” said Los Angeles Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez.
Given the criticism of residents for “La Sombrita”, expressed above all on social networks, the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation defended the design of the new canopies.
“La Sombrita responds to community needs and moves the needle in shade and light at bus stops, while simultaneously working on more systemic solutions,” the department said.
Keep reading:
Los Angeles residents may request the installation of speed bumps on streets in their neighborhoods
· ‘Green’ Renaissance in South Los Angeles, one of the areas with less development and more minorities
Los Angeles Department of Transportation will penalize vehicles parked or stopped in assigned bus lanes