More than a thousand NYC bus shelters across New York City are closed and awaiting inspection out of an “abundance of caution.” Commuters across NYC expressed frustration after the shelters unexpectedly closed for emergency inspections.

Yellow caution tape wrapped around the shelters with signs reading: “The bus shelter has been closed to complete a safety inspection. Please do not stand in the bus shelter.”

The buses will still be running on a normal schedule, but the closures are expected to last the rest of the week.

The partial collapse of a bus shelter on Staten Island on Oct. 5 forced the shelters’ managing company, JCDecaux, to close the structures throughout the city.

Fortunately no one was injured at the shelter on Van Duzer Street and Victory Boulevard, but after the problem was found to be corroded bolts, 1,400 other shelters are now closed pending inspection.

.@NYC_DOT can't seem to figure out how to install bus shelters that don't collapse on themselves. But no worries kids! They're "in charge" of traffic safety in NYC! pic.twitter.com/YioY6BDGg7

— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) October 16, 2018

The Department of Transportation released the following statement:

“Bus riders deserve the best level of service whether it be on the bus or when waiting in a bus shelter. DOT expects JCDecaux to keep the city’s bus shelters safe and well maintained. We will hold the contractor accountable for making these fixes expeditiously. We agree with their current actions and will monitor to make sure the shelters are inspected and returned to operation in a safe manner.”

(Yossi Taub – YWN)