If you’ve noticed something missing from Richmond’s public transit stops, you’d be right.
All 365 of the City of Richmond’s advertising benches are in the process of being replaced, much to the chagrin of some residents, especially the more senior of our citizens.
“Right now, I’m on an eight-month waiting list for an operation on my right knee, and I can’t stand for too long,” said retired City of Richmond worker William Bell, 71.
Bell — whose nearest bus stop to his Shell Road home is a quarter of a block away at Williams and Shell roads — said he called TransLink to complain, only to be told it was the City of Richmond’s responsibility.
“When I called the city, they told me it was TransLink’s problem,” added Bell, who said he can walk short distances, but usually needs to sit down for a few minutes at the end.
“I can take it step by step and walk a little bit. I take the No. 93 bus up to Broadmoor for my groceries. It’s not so bad; there are people older than me that I’m sure are missing those benches, as well.
“I usually time the buses well, so I don’t have to stand longer than seven or eight minutes, but that can seem quite long in my condition, especially at this time of year.”
Another resident, Maureen Usborne, called the Richmond News to say she’d noticed bus shelter benches disappearing all over the city, including the one near her home on Steveston Highway and Mortfield Gate.
Ted Townsend, spokesperson for the city, said replacement benches are being installed by a new vendor, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, which signed a 20-year contract with Richmond late last summer for the shelters and the benches.
Townsend said six advertising benches have already been installed, while another 75 will be in place by the end of this week.
A further 219, he said, will be replaced by the end of January, bringing the total to 300.
The remainder are scheduled to be installed throughout the year, as well as an additional 25 benches per year that will be placed each year for the next nine years to 2026, bringing the total to 600 benches.
