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Volunteers, residents build benches for public bus stops in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE N.C. — More than 20 residents and volunteers gathered Saturday morning to build benches for public bus stops in north Charlotte.

The event was organized by Sustain Charlotte in partnership with the Prosperity Village Area Association.

Organizers said the purpose of the event was to demonstrate the power of residents to make low-cost improvements to their neighborhoods, as well as to advocate for funding of more bus stop amenities throughout Charlotte.

Volunteers spent two hours upcycling wooden pallets into benches and installed them near a bus stop on Ridge Road. Temporary green and white paint was applied to the sidewalk to make the rider waiting area more visible, organizers said.

Charlotte Area Transit System bus stops have poles with signs noting which routes serve the stop, but many do not have shelters or benches.

Sustain Charlotte members and the neighborhood partners said they believe that demonstration projects are a powerful way to show government staff and elected officials that people will use bus stops if they are walkable, accessible and comfortable.

The Ridge Road stop where the benches were installed serves CATS routes 22 (Graham Street) and 53X (Northlake Express). Within 10 minutes of installing the benches, event organizers said, a bus rider was seen sitting on one while waiting for a bus.

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