First, let me tell you how important that bus shelter was. It served two active bus routes, 41 and 48. Gave folks a much needed place to sit and also shelter from weather. Shelter from rain and wind and snow. I myself live here on the west-side and I used that shelter nearly daily. That shelter was often THE reason I could get around, ride the bus, get out of the house. As a woman dealing with physical challenges, knowing that I had a place to sit down after walking a few blocks made everything possible. No more.

That bus shelter served so many of us. Vital part of our bus transportation system, a system that needs to be encouraged and supported, not chipped away at.

So. I emailed Intercity Transit and asked them what was up with the disappearing bus stop. Dave Schwagler, the Facilities Supervisor, courteously and professionally answered my questions. Why has the bus shelter been removed? The man to talk to is Rich DeGarmo at The Medicine Shoppe. His phone number is #943-7335. I myself have not yet been able to talk to Rich. I fear that I won't be able to remain courteous and calm. The Medicine Shoppe has gotten my business for years and years. The news that Rich is behind the removal of a much needed bus shelter makes me a not so happy camper.

I encourage folks who are concerned to give Mr. DeGarmo a call and ask just why pressure was applied to disappear that bus stop. My guess is that there are available solutions for any true problems he might have had with customers of I.T. Do folks come into The Medicine Shoppe and ask to use a restroom, do they ask for bus change? A simple sign on the front door would solve that problem. Is litter round the stop sometimes out of hand? I.T. will make added site visits and deal with that easily. How can a simple, very useful, much needed bus shelter be the enemy? Are we who ride the bus now the enemy?

Contact Info:

Rich DeGarmo, The Medicine Shoppe

1907 West Harrison

Olympia, Wa. 98502

360 943-7335

Dave Schwagler

Facility Supervisor, Intercity Transit

Ph. 360 705-5858

FAX 360 786-5074

dschwagler@intercitytransit.com