Denver man builds bus stop benches to increase accessibility, send message to city leaders

James Warren has constructed seven benches — or possibly eight, he isn’t positive — and says he’ll hold accumulating scrap wooden and constructing extra till the town takes over the duty.

“It’s a large outlet for me,” Warren stated with a sprig paint can in hand as he put the ending touches on his newest bench. “Particularly after I can, for my part, make my neighborhood higher.”

Warren has taken on the mission of constructing benches for RTD bus stops in Denver, a challenge he says began as an lodging for a stranger however has since grow to be an announcement on behalf of public transit riders to RTD and Denver metropolis leaders.

“This complete factor started after I was strolling to the grocery retailer alongside Sheridan, and I noticed this girl sitting within the dust ready for the bus,” Warren stated. “There was no sidewalk there. She was actually sitting within the dust. And I assumed, “Man, that’s so undignified. That’s simply trash that we deal with our transit customers that manner.” And so, I assumed, “I’ve obtained some wooden. I’ve obtained loads of wooden, really. I can do one thing about it.” And so I did.”

That was the origin of his first bench in January, and ever since, he has been figuring out barren spots alongside his routes and placing his abilities to make use of. As only one particular person, he is aware of he alone can not handle the wants of the greater than 9,700 RTD stops. Nevertheless, he says he can do his half to advertise public transit use and handle its accessibility makes use of.

Denver man builds bus cease benches to extend accessibility, ship message to metropolis leaders

In case you’re questioning, Warren practices what he preaches. He has been “car-free” for 5 years and counting, counting on his bike and RTD transit to get to his favourite spots round Denver. Thus, when it got here time to position his newest bench — adopted by Denver7 crews — he slung it over his shoulder and set off for the bus cease of Sheridan and tenth Avenue on foot.

“My hope for this bench is that individuals within the neighborhood have a bit of bit higher time using transit,” he stated, inserting it on the concrete.

Whereas it’s supposed to remain there for bus after bus of passengers, it is very probably it is not going to stay lengthy. A lot of the different benches Warren has constructed and positioned at stops have been focused by graffiti after which stolen. However, he’s at peace with this.

“You understand what? If this bench is destroyed tomorrow, that’s finally tremendous,” he stated. “I’m not liable for how different individuals act or how different individuals deal with neighborhood sources.”

Denver7 reached out to representatives with RTD in regards to the benches. Although they’re technically unauthorized, RTD crews will go away them be. Nevertheless, close by companies might select to take away them (to say nothing of potential vandals of thieves). Warren is okay with these potential outcomes too, he says, since his overarching aim is to lift consciousness of the obstacles that hold individuals off public transit and to push metropolis leaders to handle them.

For so long as the bench does final, Warren will take some delight in realizing it may assist erode one barrier protecting his fellow Denver residents from becoming a member of him on the RTD buses.

“The individuals who use mobility gadgets, aged individuals, individuals who can’t afford a automobile, these persons are left behind on a regular basis,” he stated. “And I believe the very last thing we ought to be saying to these individuals is, “You don’t get to sit down whilst you anticipate a bus.” You understand, I believe we have to uplift everybody in our neighborhood.”