Historically, bus shelters have been little more than three-wall boxes, open to the elements and providing little – if any – protection from rain or wind. They have also tended to be dedicated solely to their primary function; embellishment and interesting design has not been something that traditional bus shelters have incorporated, especially in rural areas.

This is, however, changing. With increased frequency, bus shelters are being fitted out to be unique and unusual, giving people waiting patiently for a bus a little something extra to enjoy. In this article, we’re going to take a look at how bus shelters – with a particular focus on those located in the countryside – can be modified, improved and upgraded in a number of creative ways.

1. Stained glass windows

Traditionally the preserve of churches and cathedrals, stained glass windows can really make a bus shelter stand out, and this is something that a number of bus shelters around the country have already implemented – with great results.

2. Incorporate the region/surroundings

Every area has its own unique history, traditions and industries, so where better to show this off than a bus stop, where the audience is captive? Such creativity can incorporate anything and is really only limited by one’s imagination, but if the bus stop happens to be in an area famed for a historic battle, why not commemorate that in some way inside the shelter? Or if the surrounding area has long been involved in the dairy sector, perhaps an ode to that could be included.

3. Include a miniature book exchange

With libraries up and down the country being shut down, why not design a bus shelter that has a space where people can leave books that they have read and enjoyed, and then at the same time take a book that has been left by someone else? This will not only make the shelter a much more attractive place but will also become a core part of rural communities, giving people an opportunity to share literature in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

4. Use traditional building materials

Most bus shelters tend to be made from metal and glass/Perspex, but that needn’t always be the case. Using bricks or wood, for example, could be far better options, especially if the shelter is in a rural area where the surrounding buildings have been constructed from these same materials. Also, if the shelter backs onto a wall or building or bridge, for example, then these structures could also become part of the shelter itself to make the whole design fit seamlessly into the surroundings.

5. Ensure protection from the elements

This is an option that is as creative as it is practical. If waiting at a rural bus stop, where bus timetables are often wrong or at the very least erratic, it makes sense to give would-be passengers as much protection as possible for the duration of their stay. Domed roofs, for example, can shield people from rain, wind, hail or sleet while also providing an attractive aesthetic to the shelter itself.

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