California Firm Contracted To Design, Build 90 CapMetro Shelters

AUSTIN, TX — A California-based firm has been awarded the contract to design and build 90 transit shelters over a five-year period for Capital Metro, officials announced on Wednesday.

Based in Corona, California, Tolar Manufacturing delivered 153 shelters for the local transit agency last year after having provided 69 of the structures in 2016, officials wrote in an advisory. The latest contract will bring to more than 300 the number of Tolar-built shelters for CapMetro, officials said.

As part of the agreement, Tolar Manufacturing officials said they will supply all components of the shelters as CapMetro continues delivering on its Coordinated Bus Stop Street Furniture Program for new and existing bus stops. Under the supply contract, Tolar Manufacturing will deliver a complete shelter package, which includes shelters with agency-branded banners and solar lighting provided by Urban Solar that is integrated into the shelters' fabrication, officials said.

Corona-based Tolar Manufacturing delivered 153 shelters for the local transit agency last year after having provided 69 structures in 2016. Photo provided by Tolar Manufacturing.

This new all-inclusive procurement showcases Tolar Manufacturing’s ability to be a one-stop solution for best-in-class transit shelters, rail platforms, and BRT stations, Tolar Manufacturing officials said.

Designed to withstand extreme wind and heavy rain loads typical in Central Texas, the CapMetro shelters incorporate a weather-protecting aluminum roof and perforated metal walls designed to be installed at either the front or rear of the shelter as well as on each end, officials described. Based on Tolar Manufacturing’s Signature series, the shelters also will incorporate a highly visible agency branding banner and will be fabricated in two sizes.

In addition, 70 of the 12-1/2-foot shelters with a standard 5-foot deep roof will be delivered in combination with twenty, 14-foot shelters that have a much deeper 7-foot deep footprint and standard front windscreen integrated into the design, company officials said.

“Being able to provide CapMetro with a turnkey solution for their shelters means we are able to more quickly deliver a complete package for easier installation,” Tolar Manufacturing Business Development Manager Scott Williams said in a prepared statement. “By December there will be 18 new shelters on the streets of Austin protecting riders from winter weather. Being able to provide CapMetro with a turnkey solution for their shelters means we are able to more quickly deliver a complete package for easier installation.”