Adopt-A-Stop

Concept:

A summary of the idea, the needs it serves, and a description of a possible pilot program

Commuter bus shelters are in need of a face lift. Many are damaged, vandalized, and tagged with graffiti. Many more feature missing or out-of-date route information. Regular up-keep and maintenance efforts by community members would keep bus shelters clean, safe, weather resistant, and up-to-date as well as inspire community cooperation.

Adopt-A-Stop would encourage participating communities to select and redesign a bus shelter to spur engagement and civic pride. Initial participants can be culled from teachers and students, local community and business leaders, artists, and activists. The project could incorporate youth/adult mentorship at every stage.

Adopt-A-Stop would provide the materials and a level of assistance in constructing the new shelters.

A pilot program could take the form of a contest, placing multiple bus shelters in competition for best re-design, best clean-up, best shelter, etc. A contest could kick-off the expansion of the project by increasing notoriety, enthusiasm and securing advertising and/or sponsorship.

Priorities:

These ideals are integral to a successful project design

• cleanliness
• safety
• access to information
• collaboration and engagement
• connecting communities

Concerns:

Possible difficulties, pitfalls, and obstacles to consider

• collaboration with Port Authority Transit
• ownership and maintenance
• securing advertising and/or sponsorship
• vandalism and material durability
• community support

Idea History:

Learn more about the idea, from genesis to dialogue

Adopt-a-Stop is from room 526. It was formerly called G.A.M.E. Stops. G.A.M.E. Stops was more environmentally oriented, introducing recycling receptacles at bus stops and utilizing green technology to make better bus stops. In its current form Adopt-A-Stop is more concerned with civic engagement.

Related Links:

Get to know these groups, organizations, projects, and authorities, their current and past activities, the possibility for consultation or partnership, and in-roads to collaboration.

• Port Authority Transit
• Art in Transit

General Questions:

These important questions are asked of each idea. Try your hand at answering them as a way to explore the idea and how to make it happen. Answers to these questions help to demonstrate the Idea's strength and potential for success.

1. What level is the idea at? (Research, Planning, Fundraising, Advocacy, Deployment, other (explain))
2. What is a reasonable next step/phase for the concept? How can investment move the idea forward?
3. What other resources or opportunities are available or necessary to make the idea happen?
4. What existing activities or organizations in Pittsburgh duplicate some or all of the program components? How can this idea compete with, complement, and/or learn from these other activities?
5. Who should be included in this discussion? Does the concept call for outside consultation or assistance from other organizations?
6. How should the idea be promoted?
7. How should project success be measured?
8. What questions should be asked of a proposal for this project?

Starter Questions:

These questions address some of the anticipated programmatic concerns that come with administering small projects. Consider them test questions for model projects-- responses should be incorporated into the project's design.

1. How will interested communities be identified?
2. How will bus shelters be selected and secured?
3. Who will have oversight on shelter design safety?
4. How will this project affect bus riders?
5. Will a partnership with PAT be necessary?
6. Will the new shelters be permanent?
7. How will the competition be administered?
8. How would a mentorship program work?