The Eastern Contra Costa County Transit Authority, better known as Tri Delta Transit, will be handing out over 1,000 umbrellas to East County residents in anticipation of El Niño rains.
“The rain has already begun and more is expected to fall in the coming months. We want our customers to stay dry while waiting for the bus,” said Mike Furnary, Director of Marketing and Customer Service. “While we have a number of shelters located throughout our service area, many bus stops don’t offer protection from the elements. An umbrella is a great way to provide personal protection from the rain, and sun, and can be put to use anywhere.”
Every winter, Tri Delta Transit receives an increase in the number of requests to install shelters at bus stops where there is no overhead protection. Unfortunately, funding and space requirements limit their ability to add shelters. The umbrellas will provide immediate protection to over a thousand Tri Delta Transit customers.
“Plus, the shelter provided by the umbrellas will be available to our customers wherever they go. We refer to them as ‘mobile bus shelters’,” Furnary added.
Back in 2008, Tri Delta Transit provided umbrellas to bus patrons during the summer months as a means to escape the brutal heat of the Eastern Contra Costa sun. “Revising this giveaway seemed like the right thing to do given the forecast for such a wet winter” said Furnary.
The umbrellas are both a customer appreciation gift and useful tool for Tri Delta Transit customers. Patrons are encouraged to bring the umbrellas with them every time they ride the bus. They are light and compact so they’ll easily fit in a purse or back pack. Having one handy will provide protection on a moment’s notice in both sunny and rainy conditions. “It’s just a practical tool to have with you if you ride the bus. We’re very happy to be providing them,” said Furnary.
Tri Delta Transit staff will be canvassing East County over the next couple of weeks distributing umbrellas on buses, at bus stops, park and ride lots and at BART. Bus drivers will be handing them to customers as they board their bus, and riders can pick one up at Tri Delta Transit’s administrative offices on Wilbur Avenue in Antioch while supplies last.
So if you see an abundance of blue and white umbrellas on a rainy el Niño day this winter, you’re sure to find some very happy and much more comfortable people underneath them, compliments of Tri Delta Transit.
Tri Delta Transit was named small bus operator of the year in 2014. They provide over 3,000,000 trips each year to a population of over 250,000 residents in the 225 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. They operate 13 local bus routes Monday – Friday, 4 local bus routes on weekends, door-to-door bus service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and shuttle services to community events.
For additional information about Tri Delta Transit, please visit www.trideltatransit.com.
