The installation of solar panel equipped bus shelters is a fairly new project for the Department of Parking and Transit Services.  As of next month, there will be a total of eight shelters on the OSU campus and six shelters throughout the city of Stillwater.  Phase 2 of installation will begin this fall with an additional twelve shelters for the transit riders of OSU and Stillwater to enjoy.  All shelters will be outfitted with the solar panels.

The solar panels are not only economical and environmentally friendly, but also provide safety and security to transit riders after dark.  Certain areas of campus, such as the University housing complex, will greatly benefit from the sense of security the bus shelters will now be able to offer by providing a lighted waiting area for buses. 

From its inception in 2003, THE BUS system’s business and ridership numbers have grown immensely and are not expected to decline any time soon.  As gas prices continue to rise and economic woes become more prevalent, more and more people will be turning to the OSU/Stillwater transit.  Installing these bus shelters with solar panels is “our way of giving back to the community,” stated Parking and Transit Services Director, Steve Spradling. 

This venture is the first in a series of “Green” undertakings the office wants to implement in the near future.