(L-R): Mike Freedman, CEO of FUEL Outdoor; Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez; Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez; Charles Buford, Director of Make a Wish Veterans; Miami Commissioner Angel Gonzalez; Mayor Manny Diaz and Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. Photo: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami.

(Miami, Florida)- City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Commission Chairman Angel Gonzalez, members of the city commission, and City Manager Pete Hernandez today inaugurated the first of 600 shelters that city vendor Fuel Outdoor is providing at transit stops throughout the City of Miami. The shelters will be installed throughout the five districts within City limits over a period of three years. 

“Our residents deserve to be able to wait for their buses while being shaded from the sun and shielded from the rain,” said Mayor Diaz.” These shelters will make a world of difference for those that rely on buses for their daily transportation needs.”

Five hundred locations will be determined by the City and the other 100 locations will be determined by FUEL. Installation of benches will continue at a rate of 200 per year.  Fuel will be responsible for all maintenance associated with every bus bench and shelter in the City throughout the twenty-year duration of their contract.

“It has been a priority to begin populating the city with these much needed bus shelters,” said the City Manager.” We have worked diligently to see these shelters come to fruition and it is a pleasure to finally be standing beneath the shade of the first one to be completed.”

The site chosen for the first shelter is located in front of the Veterans Hospital. Charles Buford, Executive Director of the Make a Wish Veterans Foundation, worked with Miami City Commissioner Angel Gonzalez and Fuel Outdoor CEO Mike Freedman to ensure that the first shelters would be installed there for those veterans who go to the hospital for treatment. 

Only 100 shelters will have advertising. Four sizes of shelter will be available including standard and slim versions, long and short versions. Trash receptacles will also be placed with the shelters.