PORTSMOUTH — Have you ever noticed the lack of bus shelters in Portsmouth?

If you rely on a R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) bus to get around, you probably have — especially on a rainy or windy day.

The absence of bus shelters could soon be a thing of the past, however, as the Town Council is expected at its next regular meeting to consider a resolution pledging to work with RIPTA to get the structures installed along bus routes.

The council was originally set to hear a presentation regarding bus shelters and bus routes from RIPTA on May 10. However, RIPTA’s Gregory Nordin, chief of strategic advancement, and Edward Brown III, director of service planning and scheduling, did not appear on the Zoom call, so the matter was tabled.

Another related agenda item — the aforementioned resolution proposed by council member Andrew Kelly — was also put off.

RIPTA offers two fixed routes in Portsmouth: 

• Route 60 Providence/Newport averages 92 weekday boardings.

• Route 61X Tiverton/East Bay averages 16 weekday boardings.

There are 110 individual bus stops in Portsmouth, but no bus shelters, according to RIPTA.

According to Mr. Kelly’s proposed resolution, in fact, “Portsmouth is the only one of the 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island that has in the past explicitly rejected consideration and construction of any and all bus shelters.”

However, the need for bus shelters here is greater now due to several factors, the resolution says:

•  “Landmark legislation has recently passed that encourages reducing emissions in the transportation sector through local initiatives and collaboration region-wide.”

• “Research shows that improving public transit amenities by installing bus shelters results in increased ridership due to factors of comfort, convenience and safety.”

• “Increased use of public transit would reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, thereby reducing emissions in not only Portsmouth but all of Rhode Island.”

• The Town Council has “identified the need to make improvements to bus stops as a means of enhancing alternative transportation options.”

• “RIPTA is embarking on a new program to install more bus shelters statewide.”

• “Portsmouth is a main artery of Rhode Island’s defense and tourism industries.”

The council expects to hear from RIPTA and consider the resolution at its next regular meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, May 24.