Transit Station and Stop Adoption Programs (2013)

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6 commercial centers the financial responsibilities of the tran- sit agency or public works department can be reduced. Lisa Tucker’s 2003, Safer Stops for Vulnerable Customers, reported that the location, design, features, and maintenance of bus stops affect the safety and security of waiting passengers. She noted that: Collaboration provides a vehicle for dialogue and service improve- ments between transit agencies and the communities they serve. Several adopt-a-stop programs have been implemented through- out the country, through which volunteers agree to monitor the upkeep and cleanliness of their adopted bus stop. Such programs provide a sense of ownership and interest within the community and the volunteers’ activities improve the physical appearance of stops in general, thereby improving the safety and security of bus stops for all transit customers (6). In the 1997 FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, an article on policing mass transit offers additional views on the impor- tance of community involvement in transit security (7). It recommends that transit authorities promote the system as a community asset that requires public involvement in its main- tenance. The end result can be reduced crime not only on the transit system, but also in surrounding neighborhoods. In Houston, Texas, an adopt-a-stop program had disbanded as a result of it generating little interest; however, concerns for safety sparked its renewal. When a local businessman called to complain about criminal activity at the bus stop across from his business and requested the stop be moved, Metro suggested that he adopt the station instead. “Our fundamental belief is if you move stops, you are dis- enfranchising those individuals who choose to or who must use public transportation,” Houston METRO Police Chief Tom Lambert said at the time “We do everything we can to address problems and not move stops” (8). When the businessman agreed to adopt his stop, the pro- gram gained new momentum. Residents and business owners are again adopting local stops and have become the watch- dogs for Houston METRO by reporting suspicious activities and vandalism. BENEFITS Helping people to become more involved in their community is a goal of adopt-a-stop programs. The Chicago Transit Authority produced a brochure inviting community members to become a partner in the effort to make In completing a comprehensive review of adopt-a-stop pro- grams, a variety of sources were investigated. A Transport Research International Documentation (TRID) search and other Internet searches were conducted. The bulk of the infor- mation relating to adopt-a-stop programs was found on partici- pating agencies’ websites. HISTORY Adopt-a-stop programs are an innovative approach for improving public transit in the United States. An early adopt-a- station effort was developed in New York City in 1977 (1), but adopt-a-stop programs truly began to gain momentum follow- ing on the heels of the successful adopt-a-highway programs. The first adopt-a-highway program began in Texas in 1985 when citizens became concerned about the littered highways and looked for a way to take action (2). The idea evolved into thousands of groups all across the country volunteering their time and effort to pick up litter on highways. Success gener- ated similar concepts such as adopt-a-spot (i.e., a park or a plaza), adopt-a-river, and adopt-a-stop. An October 1992 issue of AASHTO Quarterly highlighted an early effort in the adopt-a-stop movement (3). A San Diego- based Japanese electronics firm, in coordination with the Met- ropolitan Transit Development Board’s program, adopted a bus stop outside of its headquarters. About 40 local merchants, organizations, scout troops, and individuals joined the effort and adopted other bus stops in the community, with the under- standing that they would clean up and improve the area at least once a week. The program evolved over the years and eventu- ally came under the jurisdiction of the North County Transit District. It continues in force today to enhance station appear- ance and to engage the community in public transportation (4). ADOPT-A-STOP PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC TRANSIT SAFETY A primary need of passengers is to feel safe and secure at transit stations. Feelings of insecurity at stations lead people to not choose public transit. Therefore, improving personal safety can lead to increased ridership. In the 2006 Toolkit for Bus Stop Accessibility and Safety Assessment, produced by Easter Seals Project ACTION (5), maintenance of bus stops and shelters is specifically cited as a means to achieve safer bus stops. The toolkit indicates that bus stop maintenance can be costly and time-consuming; however, by forming agreements with local businesses or chapter two LITERATURE REVIEW

7 rail stations more inviting. It launched its Adopt-A-Station pro- gram in the 1990s and asked volunteers to develop a plan to connect a station visually with the surrounding community (9). Originally, the volunteers were not responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the station, but instead were expected to develop exhibits reflecting the history and culture of the community. The program subsequently adopted other activities, including picking up litter and planting and maintaining flowers or small trees (10). The program helps the Chicago Transit Authority identify more closely with the neighborhoods it serves. Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) notes in its Bus Stop Guidelines publication, “Bus stops as public spaces are as much a part of a community as streets, pathways, parks, and plazas. TriMet encourages com- munities and citizens to recognize their value and to build a sense of ownership” (11). The guidelines include program goals, one of which states: “Bus stops shall be well maintained and free of trash and van- dalism. TriMet will seek partnerships that share responsibility for maintaining bus stops.” Green Hands USA produced an online project guide called How to Adopt a Subway, Train or Bus Station Cleanup (12). It is the organization’s goal to increase ridership on public transit and suggests that cleaner stops mean more people choose transit. Its grassroots approach to station cleanups encourages individ uals and organizations to take the initiative and contact their local transit agency to adopt a stop. It notes that studies have indicated that people tend to litter more when litter has already accumu- lated; therefore, a cleaner area actually reduces future litter. DISADVANTAGES The literature search did not disclose any negative aspects of implementing adopt-a-stop programs. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS The Rail Safety & Standards Board in the United Kingdom conducted a research project of British and international adoption programs to provide guidance for train operators and adoption groups on good practice in station adoption (13). The results are very specific in describing the respon- sibilities of the adopters and in addressing the safety issues. From that review, the Rail Safety and Standards Board also produced a research brief, Good Practice in Station Adop- tion Schemes, which focuses on railroad station adoption, and observed that: Adoption schemes provide a means of making stations more attractive and potentially safer for their users, which is shown, in turn, to increase the number of people using the railway. The brief reported several benefits for railway users as well as the railway operator. Information about the condition of the stations that is provided by the volunteer allows for faster response and better use of the time of paid staff. A rapid response to vandalism is expected to increase rail usage and revenue. Stations that are adopted may receive favorable media coverage and community relationships overall improve. The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP), with assistance from the Greater Manchester Passenger Trans- port Executive (GMPTE) and Northern Rail, produced Station Adoption 2010: A Guide for the Local Community (Figure 1) (14). Many of the smaller stations in Britain are unstaffed, so the volunteers play a vital role in overseeing the stations. In addition to picking up litter, their tasks include reporting broken lights, out-of-date posters and timetables, and property damage. The Adelaide Metro in South Australia has an extremely active adopt-a-station program. Created in 1991, it was the first adopt-a-station program in the country. It is now known as the Community Volunteer Program and encourages individuals and community groups to help combat graffiti and vandalism. The Australian government produced Adopt-a-Station Program Guidelines in 2001 and revised them in 2005 (15). The guidelines provide clear direction to volunteers as to what they can and cannot undertake in their roles. The docu- ment also provides a list of contacts for any situation that might arise while volunteers are undertaking their duties. The city of Gosnells in Western Australia developed an adopt- a-shelter program in coordination with its anti-graffiti campaign. Local councils provide do-it-yourself graffiti removal kits to residents that adopt a shelter. According to a 2011 article in The West Australian (16), the Public Transport Authority spent $3 million in 2010–2011 to remove graffiti on trains, buses, and at stations. As of November 2011, 67 of 110 shelters in the city were maintained by residents, who were given a paint bucket, paint brush, disposable gloves, face mask, and wet paint signs. FIGURE 1 ACoRP Station Adoption Guide 2010 (2010).