The Sidney Rotary Club was looking for a turnkey solution to provide lighting at bus stops and shelters in North Saanich, and chose local Victoria-based solar lighting company, Urban Solar.

Urban Solar was named top choice for its reliability, quality products, and team of local experts.  Its industry-leading PV Shelter series, in particular the RMS 90F model,  have been installed at two transit stop locations to begin: a dark intersection at Ardmore and West Saanich Road and a second stop at Bradley Dyne and West Saanich Road.   This not only improves lighting in these dark rural areas, but it increases safety for riders and increase visibility for transit drivers, all while utilizing renewable energy.

This initiative got the attention of the Rotary District 5020, which covers the area of Alaska to Oregon.  It is supporting the project by matching all local funds.  The Sidney Rotary Club raises funds through local events such as the Saanich Fair.  Thrifty Foods also contributed approximately $1000 from its Smile Card program towards the two stops.  Thrifty Foods Smile Cards are pre-loaded grocery cards that give 5% of the amount to a selected charity.

“We are pleased to be working with the Rotary on this initiative to keep bus riders safe, while supplying a renewable solution,” says Urban Solar Senior Business Development Manager John Joynt.  “Our solar lighting systems are capable of producing reliable power all throughout even the darkest rainy nights known to the Pacific Northwest.”

“For years, Urban Solar has been the industry leader in the manufacturing of UL listed solar powered safety lighting for the transit industry,” says Roger Hind, with Rotary Club.  “We trust its team to design and implement a product that the Sidney Club is proud to be associated with.”

The new shelters are equipped with secured bike lockers, where riders can bring their own locks and have a place to store their bikes for the day.

About Rotary Club
Rotary International is an international service organization that’s stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.  It is a non-political and non-sectarian organization open to all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. There are 34,282 member clubs worldwide. 1.2 million individuals called Rotarians have joined these clubs.