06-12-2002 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bus Bench Report Background At the March 27, 2002 Council meeting the Little Canada City Council requested staff to prepare a report on bus benches that addresses existing bus bench locations and use by our residents as well as develop a plan for future bus bench needs and maintenance costs. As you may recall, there are two bench companies which have had or still have bus benches in our city, U.S. Bench Corporation and Ameribench Company. U.S. Bench Corp. had a total of 13 benches along our city streets for the past 28 years. In February 2002 all of these benches were removed by U.S. Bench Corp. at the City's request. Ameribench had 2 benches in the City and installed an additional 14 benches since last October. Two of the 14 locations are where U.S. Bench Corporation removed their benches. All of their benches are still at the locations installed, however their advertising has been removed. Existing Bus Bench Locations The attached map shows existing bus routes and the locations of both companies' bus benches in the City. A list of each company's bench locations is also attached. Existing Bus Bench Use To track existing bus bench use, city staff was asked to informally observe and report the number of people utilizing bus benches. In addition we attached a flyer to all existing benches that requested people to notify the Public Works Director if they utilize a particular bench while waiting for the bus. A copy of the flyer is attached for your reference. Findings: • To date, no city staff has indicated they have seen anyone using any existing bus benches in Little Canada. Further, we have only received three calls from residents who responded to the flyer. All three of the callers requested a bench be place at the northwest corner of the intersection of LaBore Road and Desoto Street (there is no bench there now). In addition, one of the callers requested a bench on Little Canada Road at the northeast corner of the intersection of Little Canada Road and Middle Street. • The manager at Montreal Courts indicated that the bus benches by their complex, on LaBore Road, are not being used and that if a bus bench were to be installed they would prefer no advertising. • No one has called to complain or inquire regarding the bus bench(s) that were removed last fall. • Another factor that should be considered in both existing bus bench use and in developing a bus bench plan is the existing bus routes. Given that most people waiting at a bus stop along ,Rice Street would likely be going south to St. Paul, boarding would occur on Roseville's side of Rice Street. Furthermore, riders going north from St. Paul will likely depart the bus and travel directly to their residence. It is H:.CiregS \SignsABus Bench Report.doc