Building benches for bus stops - CT Urbanists

Why build benches?:

Most of our bus stops in Hartford are a sign on a pole without any seating. This is especially true outside of downtown.

The Connecticut Urbanists believe that bus riders deserve seating. By not driving, bus passengers pollute less, cause less roadway deaths, and generate less traffic congestion. Moreover, many Hartfordites use the bus out of necessity, so what does that say about the way our city treats those unable to drive for whatever reason? It's time we at least add seating to the busiest bus stops.

Connecticut Urbanists are a group of activists that engage in tactical urbanism to improve the quality and safety of the Hartford region. In addition to providing immediate seating for our busiest bus stops, our goal with these benches is to draw attention to the poor state of our bus stops, which will hopefully pressure local government to do better.

What can your donation do?:

$10: buy fasteners for 7 benches

$25: pay mileage fees for van rental

$66: pay average cost to seat 1 person at any given time (half the cost of a bench plus associated costs). Depending on bus stop usage, this amount may benefit as many as 50 to 100 people per day.

$88: pay for one weather-resistant, 4-foot bench

$133: pay the average cost of one bench and transportation, complete with cut-resistant lock and security cable

Methodology:

We will find the busiest bus stops as determined by the number of buses serving the stop per week. Any stops in need of seating will be considered based on nearby amenities, for instance a bus stop near a grocery store would be of higher priority for a bench than a bus stop in a primarily residential area.

Once a list of high priority stops is compiled, we will select seven to receive a bench based on availability of space and a secure location to lock each bench. For example, a busy narrow sidewalk would not get a bench.

Each bench will have a unique QR code that links to a survey. Bus users can take the survey to request benches at other bus stops, which will be considered based on number of survey responses and estimated boardings at those stops.

We expect to have the list of seven bus stops chosen by the end of January 2023.

Cost breakdown per bench:

$73 for legs

$13 for pressure treated wood

$30 for bolt-cutter-and-weather-resistant cable and lock

$2 for screws

Total: $118 per bench

Total for seven benches: ~$826

Additional costs:

Upgrade lock on previous bench: $30

When we built the original bench, the lock was a last-minute purchase and was a 4 ft, 5/16" thick cable lock. We want to upgrade to a bolt cutter resistant, weather resistant cable and lock.

Van rental, if needed: $70 for 1 day

Total cost to upgrade lock on original bench, plus build, transport, and install 7 benches: $926

Gofundme takes a 2.9% fee + $0.30 per donation. That's a 3.9% per $30 donation. $926/.961 sets the goal to $964 for building and transporting 7 benches, as well as upgrading the lock on the original bench.

All money spent on the bench build project will be reported in the updates.

Expansion plans:

This is the first phase of the Connecticut Urbanists bench project and will raise funds to build seven benches with a build and install completion goal of March 31, 2023. Our stretch goal is to build and install a total of 30 to 50 benches at the most used bus stops in the Hartford region by the end of 2023.

Note:

The fundraiser photo is of a 6-foot bench we made to test out and has already been installed at a bus stop in East Hartford. See quick overview of this bench on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CndXLUYIwl3/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

It is the same type of bench we will be making using this fundraiser, except the length will be shortened to 4 feet for increased strength.