History of the Bus Shelter
The first public bus line was launched by Blaise Pascal in 1662 and ceased operations 15 years later. Engine powered buses emerged along with development of the automobile. After the first engine powered bus of 1895, models expanded in the 1900s, leading to the widespread introduction of the contemporary recognizable form of full size buses from the 1950s.
The emergence of this transit boom made it a necessity that passengers had a designated area that they could board and un-board the bus. In the 1950’s this bus stop was identified by a simple single pole marker. By the 1970’s passengers could wait at their scheduled stop with the added bus stop bench. In the 1980’s the bus stop evolved to include a covered shelter to visibly identify the stop as well as provide the passengers protection from the elements.
With the popularity in advertising growing and the invention of the internet, companies competed for ways to get their products to the masses. In the 1990’s, bus shelters now included valuable advertising space to target bus passengers as well as passing pedestrians and motorists. In the 2000’s, environmental issues have become a concern as cities look for ways to become less dependant on electricity. In 2005, bus shelters now include solar panels and battery system to run fluorescent lighting. By 2008, the fluorescent lighting gives way to a more eco-friendly and cost effective LED light, although the system is still using the un-friendly solar battery back-up system.
2010, Solade Concepts introduces a revolutionary, state of the art solar bus shelter. Solade Concepts replaces the solar battery back-up system by incorporating a solar panel roof that is tied to the cities electrical grid, creating additional renewable energy revenue. With standard features such as LED lighting and advertising boards along with additional items such as Wi-Fi and Next Bus GPS tracking, Solade Concepts has developed a complete multi-revenue stream bus shelter that is not only technology savvy and smart but is also environmental friendly.