In the heart of the Bay Area, a collective of volunteers is making a difference by installing benches at bus stops to enhance public transit accessibility.
Known informally as guerillas and rogues by the media, this group includes friends, neighbors, and community members dedicated to improving the lives of strangers through woodworking and communal effort.
Having spent two years working in the East Bay and successfully installing nearly 100 benches, the collective is now turning its attention to San Francisco, where the need is pronounced.
With Muni bus riders making 521,000 trips every weekday, it’s alarming to note that roughly 66% of bus stops—nearly 2,000—lack even a simple bench for passengers to rest on.
Last month, the collective made significant strides by installing eight new benches at Muni stops in the Mission and Noe Valley neighborhoods.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with patrons immediately utilizing the benches and expressing their gratitude on social media platforms.
Local news outlets have reported on the initiative, showcasing the community’s appreciation for these installations that provide comfort and accessibility.
Each bench-building event is a celebration of community spirit, as dozens of volunteers gather to collaborate on the project.
Participants range from students to seniors, bringing together people from various walks of life in an inclusive environment.
Some attendees seize the opportunity to dust off old power tools, while others receive essential safety training and woodworking lessons.
The collective ensures careful planning in choosing bench locations, weighing factors such as ridership, terrain, and community demographics to maximize their impact.
In many cases, transportation to the installation sites is done through e-bikes, emphasizing sustainability and resourcefulness.
While the goal is to see a day when community-led initiatives like theirs are no longer necessary—when San Francisco has the resources to install benches at all Muni stops—reality paints a different picture.
The Municipal Transportation Agency’s recent actions, which involve reducing the limited accessibility already available by removing some transit shelters, reflect a troubling trend in public transit management.
In light of this ineffective governance, the collective has committed to stepping up where the city falls short.
They advocate for a ‘live and let live’ approach towards their benches, similar to what has been allowed in Oakland and Berkeley, emphasizing that benches should stay unless official alternatives are provided.
Encouragingly, the collective proposes that San Francisco follow Richmond’s lead by creating a permit process for community-installed benches, thus granting them official approval.
While the newly re-launched Love Our Neighborhoods program has made strides in supporting community initiatives, its current exclusions regarding bus stops leave much to be desired.
Sidewalk planters, another DIY initiative sprouting across the city, present a stark contrast to the benches.
These planters have emerged in recent years, often viewed as hostile architecture aimed at deterring homelessness.
Despite being unpermitted, they have surprisingly garnered support from city officials, even receiving assistance from the Department of Public Works.
In contrast, benches—designed to invite comfort rather than hostility—struggle against procedural barriers despite their positive contributions to public space.
Addressing concerns raised by the Department of Public Works regarding the maintenance of the DIY benches, the collective has devised a plan wherein volunteers can adopt a bench.
This initiative includes responsibilities such as repainting over graffiti and reporting any structural issues for timely repairs or replacements.
While graffiti can lead to complaints and potential removal, the collective believes that a bench covered in art is still more beneficial than having no bench at all.
A reasonable compromise could involve defining maintenance responsibilities within the proposed permit process, thereby establishing a clear line of communication for necessary actions regarding each bench.
The act of providing a bench may seem simple, but it significantly impacts the daily lives of commuters seeking a moment of rest amidst their busy schedules.
In a world where public spaces often fall short of being welcoming, community members in the Bay Area are leading the charge to foster connections and bring people together through shared endeavors.
Every volunteer lending a hand is contributing a labor of love for both the city and their neighbors.
For anyone wanting to get involved, the collective offers plans and guidance for interested individuals.
Whether through financial contributions, taking on bench maintenance responsibilities, or participating in hands-on building events, there are multiple opportunities to make a difference.
As long as bus stops remain devoid of benches, the San Francisco Bay Area Bench Collective welcomes everyone willing to help—because the benches won’t build themselves.
image source from：sfstandard
