MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Murfreesboro bus riders are about to get a welcome upgrade. After years of requests for better amenities at busy stops, the City Council has officially approved a construction contract that will bring new transit shelters to several locations beginning later this year.

The vote came Thursday awarding Keystone Partners LLC the Murfreesboro Transit Shelters Group 1 project. It’s part of a broader push to make public transportation more comfortable, accessible, and user‑friendly. These new shelters won’t just look sharp—they’ll include solar lighting, seating, and ADA‑accessible features designed to make waiting for the bus a whole lot easier.

Mayor Shane McFarland called the investment a meaningful step forward, saying the shelters reflect the City’s commitment to improving the daily experience of riders who rely on fixed‑route service. Transit Director Russ Brashear added that the first round of locations was chosen based on ridership patterns and direct feedback from residents. Seven shelters are slated for installation in 2026, with more phases to follow.

The project includes concrete pads, trashcans, bench seating, and coordination with utilities to prep each site. Funding comes from a mix of federal, state, and local dollars—80 percent federal, 10 percent state, and a 10 percent local match from the FY27 Transportation Department budget.

Keystone Partners submitted the lowest qualified bid at $276,660 after a competitive process that drew four proposals. Kimley‑Horn, the project engineer, reviewed all submissions and recommended Keystone for the award, while Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. will oversee construction administration.

These improvements trace back to a 2022 Transit Route and Shelter Placement Study that identified 32 potential shelter locations and helped shape plans for Murfreesboro’s new Transit Facility on New Salem Highway. That center now includes a passenger pavilion, maintenance facility, parking, and administrative offices—giving riders a more central hub for boarding and transfers.

And for anyone wanting real‑time bus tracking, Murfreesboro Transit’s mobile app is available on both Apple and Android. Just search “Murfreesboro Transit” and look for the familiar City rotunda logo.