Several of Delaware-based DART First State's (DART) bus shelters and stops are now equipped with a solar-powered lighting system.

DART is committed to saving energy, operating greener, and using renewable energy, according to officials. To better serve its riders, the agency is committed to installing many more solar-powered bus shelters and bus stops in the future.

The agency installs its solar powered bus shelters where the shelter may lie outside the municipal electric power grid, and because the connection and electric usage costs are prohibitive. Unlit shelters discourage riders from using DART in evening hours because of safety concerns, visibility and difficulties reading timetable information.

DART currently has 56 solar lit shelters out of its 268 shelters statewide. In both a solar lit bus stop and solar lit shelter the photovoltaic array on the roof or atop the bus stop pole collects and stores the sun's energy during the day and operates an LED light in the shelter and at the bus stop at night by using a portion of the stored battery energy.

 "Our commitment to become a greener transit system for our riders and environment is evidenced by the number of solar lit bus shelters serving our riders, especially in the evening," said DART Executive Director Stephen Kingsberry.