Posted by: Daniel Speciale, volunteer at Reconnect Rochester
You may recall reading some time ago that Reconnect Rochester had come up with a temporary solution to the lack of seating at Rochester’s bus stops. Here’s an update…
Since we introduced these colorful 2x2x2 wooden cubes late last year, our Bus Innovation Team has been hard at work getting these cubes built, identifying bus stops that meet the City’s more-stringent-than-you-might-expect criteria, and obtaining the necessary permits to place them on the street.
Cubes were placed near Rochester School for the Deaf, College Town, in the JOSANA neighborhood, and before the weather turned colder we had been working on locations in the 19th Ward Neighborhood too. All cubes have now been moved back into storage for the winter, but with your help, we hope to add more next spring.
Thanks to All Who Helped
Many thanks to Rochester School for the Deaf , Charles House Neighbors in Action , and 19th Ward Neighborhood Association , the CVS at Mount Hope and Elmwood, and of course Flower City Habitat for Humanity , Pittsford Mendon High School Habitat Club , and TRU Yoga (in the South Wedge) for their collaboration and support.
We’d also like to extend a huge thank-you to Fruit Belt artist, David “DJ” Johnson who designed and painted these two cubes (above) for the JOSANA neighborhood. The cubes are dressed up with the faces and hands of young artists with the words “Life is Art.” DJ explains his concept in the video below…
How Can I Get a Cube at My Stop?
Moving forward, we’d like to continue this project as there are still many, many bus stops where riders have no choice but to stand. Here’s how you can help us expand this project and get a cube placed where you need it:
1. Make sure the bus stop:
a) Is on hardscape (meaning concrete/brick etc, not grass or dirt)
b) Has 9′ from curb to adjacent property (see our handy handout [PDF])
2. Speak with the owner of the adjacent property and/or your neighborhood association to make sure everyone is on board. Have them sign this pre-written letter of support [PDF].
3. Contact us. With the signed letter we’ll be able to obtain a permit and have the cube(s) placed within a few weeks.
Helping us gain support for these cubes is a simple, powerful way to improve the transit experience here in Rochester. If your business or organization is adjacent to a bus stop and you see people standing all day long, YOU CAN HELP IMPROVE THOSE PEOPLE’S LIVES in less time than you probably dedicate to social media on a daily basis.
Of course we’re continuing to advocate for more permanent amenities throughout the system and you can always add your voice to ours by contacting RTS directly.