That’s why when James Warren saw a woman sitting in the dirt waiting for her bus earlier this year, he decided something had to change. “I thought, oh, this is just indecent,” Warren, who lives in Denver, told As It Happens guest host Susan Bonner. So he started making benches himself. Since January, the 28-year-old mobility and transport advocate has built eight benches, all from wood scavenged in the city. There are approximately 9,700 bus stops throughout the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD), but RTD only operates about 300 of them. Warren gave up his car a few years ago and started noticing that many of the stands he was using didn’t have any kind of seat. Warren says he’s had offers for materials and construction help from many people. (Karli Haugom) “There’s a lot of construction in my neighborhood. They end up throwing away, you know, stuff that’s perfect,” he said. “So I take some of these materials and put them together in whatever way will work.” Where he puts the stalls depends on a few things. Sometimes he relies on proximity — where he can easily transport a stall since he doesn’t have a car. Sometimes it is his own experience to wait at a stop without a seat. Other times, the impetus is a conversation Warren has with a stranger who’s hot and tired or carrying a bunch of grocery bags. “It just makes me realize, oh man, this person’s life could be so much better if I put a bench in here.” Warren says one of his favorite things is walking by one of his benches and seeing someone sitting on it. (Submitted by James Warren)
‘Be polite’
Each bench made by Warren is emblazoned with the words “Be Kind.”
“It’s a good message. It’s a message that anyone can do,” Warren said. “Spread a little more kindness in the world and be a little kinder to your neighbor and just try to be a little more thoughtful and aware of other people’s needs.”
The message seems to be resonating. Warren’s had several offers of help.
“I’ve gotten probably a dozen people who say they want to work on one with me or, you know, they have a truck and they’re excited to maybe help me move a stall to another location,” he said.
Each stall bears the words ‘Be kind’. (Submitted by James Warren)
“I’ve even had people donate supplies like wood, and someone even offered to donate money and I said, ‘Don’t do that.’ You know, all the materials come to me freely.”
Brandon Figliolino, senior community engagement specialist at RTD, says he has spoken with Warren about how RTD manages its shelters and the amenity application process for them.
“When our customers come to us with concerns about bus stops and the lack of infrastructure at some of them, we appreciate having that dialogue with our customers and then with municipalities so we can find a solution.”
Figliolino says that since RTD only manages a fraction of the city’s stops, it works with local municipalities and private companies to fund and maintain their shelters and seats.
“Which amenities are installed at locations depends on a number of factors, such as the frequency of routes served by the bus stop, boarding and alighting, permits, as well as the space available to install such amenities. Bus stops located at private property would also require approval from the property owner to install shelters and benches,” he added later via email.
Warren says more can be done to secure seats at more bus stops, though he’s not critical of anyone at RTD in particular.
“They’re all generally incredibly kind and thoughtful people who want the best for our community,” he said. But that is not enough, he added.
“I’d love to see them step up and put their money where their mouth is, you know.”
There are more than 9,700 transit stops throughout Denver. (Justin Bye)
Positive response
Warren says he’s heard firsthand the difference the chance to take out a load while you wait has made for people. One of his favorite things to do is to walk by one of his stalls and see people sitting on it. “I was talking to some women who said, ‘Oh, we use this bus stop every day to go to work. And that was much better every morning waiting for the bus,” he said. “And I talked to one person who, you know, was like, ‘I only live seven blocks from here, but I can’t walk long distances. And for the same reason, I can’t stand for long periods of time either. And so that’s just such a blessing for him.” Sometimes a bench is lost or decorated with graffiti, but neither deters Warren from building another. (Submitted by James Warren) Every now and then, one of Warren’s stalls disappears or is adorned with graffiti. But Warren says it doesn’t bother him. In fact, he sees it as the community adding their own art to what he put out there. And it won’t deter him from continuing to build. “I sit behind a computer screen all day, so it’s definitely helpful to get out there and work with tools,” he said. “And for as long as I am able, I will continue to advocate for better transport options and better transport facilities at our bus stops to anyone who will listen.” Written by Stephanie Hogan. Interview produced by Aloysius Wong.
title: “A Denver Man Saw Too Many People Standing At Bus Stops. So He Made Them A Bench Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-21” author: “Gertrude Tran”
That’s why when James Warren saw a woman sitting in the dirt waiting for her bus earlier this year, he decided something had to change. “I thought, oh, this is just indecent,” Warren, who lives in Denver, told As It Happens guest host Susan Bonner. So he started making benches himself. Since January, the 28-year-old mobility and transport advocate has built eight benches, all from wood scavenged in the city. There are approximately 9,700 bus stops throughout the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD), but RTD only operates about 300 of them. Warren gave up his car a few years ago and started noticing that many of the stands he was using didn’t have any kind of seat. Warren says he’s had offers for materials and construction help from many people. (Karli Haugom) “There’s a lot of construction in my neighborhood. They end up throwing away, you know, stuff that’s perfect,” he said. “So I take some of these materials and put them together in whatever way will work.” Where he puts the stalls depends on a few things. Sometimes he relies on proximity — where he can easily transport a stall since he doesn’t have a car. Sometimes it is his own experience to wait at a stop without a seat. Other times, the impetus is a conversation Warren has with a stranger who’s hot and tired or carrying a bunch of grocery bags. “It just makes me realize, oh man, this person’s life could be so much better if I put a bench in here.” Warren says one of his favorite things is walking by one of his benches and seeing someone sitting on it. (Submitted by James Warren)
‘Be polite’
Each bench made by Warren is emblazoned with the words “Be Kind.”
“It’s a good message. It’s a message that anyone can do,” Warren said. “Spread a little more kindness in the world and be a little kinder to your neighbor and just try to be a little more thoughtful and aware of other people’s needs.”
The message seems to be resonating. Warren’s had several offers of help.
“I’ve gotten probably a dozen people who say they want to work on one with me or, you know, they have a truck and they’re excited to maybe help me move a stall to another location,” he said.
Each stall bears the words ‘Be kind’. (Submitted by James Warren)
“I’ve even had people donate supplies like wood, and someone even offered to donate money and I said, ‘Don’t do that.’ You know, all the materials come to me freely.”
Brandon Figliolino, senior community engagement specialist at RTD, says he has spoken with Warren about how RTD manages its shelters and the amenity application process for them.
“When our customers come to us with concerns about bus stops and the lack of infrastructure at some of them, we appreciate having that dialogue with our customers and then with municipalities so we can find a solution.”
Figliolino says that since RTD only manages a fraction of the city’s stops, it works with local municipalities and private companies to fund and maintain their shelters and seats.
“Which amenities are installed at locations depends on a number of factors, such as the frequency of routes served by the bus stop, boarding and alighting, permits, as well as the space available to install such amenities. Bus stops located at private property would also require approval from the property owner to install shelters and benches,” he added later via email.
Warren says more can be done to secure seats at more bus stops, though he’s not critical of anyone at RTD in particular.
“They’re all generally incredibly kind and thoughtful people who want the best for our community,” he said. But that is not enough, he added.
“I’d love to see them step up and put their money where their mouth is, you know.”
There are more than 9,700 transit stops throughout Denver. (Justin Bye)
Positive response
Warren says he’s heard firsthand the difference the chance to take out a load while you wait has made for people. One of his favorite things to do is to walk by one of his stalls and see people sitting on it. “I was talking to some women who said, ‘Oh, we use this bus stop every day to go to work. And that was much better every morning waiting for the bus,” he said. “And I talked to one person who, you know, was like, ‘I only live seven blocks from here, but I can’t walk long distances. And for the same reason, I can’t stand for long periods of time either. And so that’s just such a blessing for him.” Sometimes a bench is lost or decorated with graffiti, but neither deters Warren from building another. (Submitted by James Warren) Every now and then, one of Warren’s stalls disappears or is adorned with graffiti. But Warren says it doesn’t bother him. In fact, he sees it as the community adding their own art to what he put out there. And it won’t deter him from continuing to build. “I sit behind a computer screen all day, so it’s definitely helpful to get out there and work with tools,” he said. “And for as long as I am able, I will continue to advocate for better transport options and better transport facilities at our bus stops to anyone who will listen.” Written by Stephanie Hogan. Interview produced by Aloysius Wong.
title: “A Denver Man Saw Too Many People Standing At Bus Stops. So He Made Them A Bench Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-13” author: “Myrtice Lucas”
That’s why when James Warren saw a woman sitting in the dirt waiting for her bus earlier this year, he decided something had to change. “I thought, oh, this is just indecent,” Warren, who lives in Denver, told As It Happens guest host Susan Bonner. So he started making benches himself. Since January, the 28-year-old mobility and transport advocate has built eight benches, all from wood scavenged in the city. There are approximately 9,700 bus stops throughout the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD), but RTD only operates about 300 of them. Warren gave up his car a few years ago and started noticing that many of the stands he was using didn’t have any kind of seat. Warren says he’s had offers for materials and construction help from many people. (Karli Haugom) “There’s a lot of construction in my neighborhood. They end up throwing away, you know, stuff that’s perfect,” he said. “So I take some of these materials and put them together in whatever way will work.” Where he puts the stalls depends on a few things. Sometimes he relies on proximity — where he can easily transport a stall since he doesn’t have a car. Sometimes it is his own experience to wait at a stop without a seat. Other times, the impetus is a conversation Warren has with a stranger who’s hot and tired or carrying a bunch of grocery bags. “It just makes me realize, oh man, this person’s life could be so much better if I put a bench in here.” Warren says one of his favorite things is walking by one of his benches and seeing someone sitting on it. (Submitted by James Warren)
‘Be polite’
Each bench made by Warren is emblazoned with the words “Be Kind.”
“It’s a good message. It’s a message that anyone can do,” Warren said. “Spread a little more kindness in the world and be a little kinder to your neighbor and just try to be a little more thoughtful and aware of other people’s needs.”
The message seems to be resonating. Warren’s had several offers of help.
“I’ve gotten probably a dozen people who say they want to work on one with me or, you know, they have a truck and they’re excited to maybe help me move a stall to another location,” he said.
Each stall bears the words ‘Be kind’. (Submitted by James Warren)
“I’ve even had people donate supplies like wood, and someone even offered to donate money and I said, ‘Don’t do that.’ You know, all the materials come to me freely.”
Brandon Figliolino, senior community engagement specialist at RTD, says he has spoken with Warren about how RTD manages its shelters and the amenity application process for them.
“When our customers come to us with concerns about bus stops and the lack of infrastructure at some of them, we appreciate having that dialogue with our customers and then with municipalities so we can find a solution.”
Figliolino says that since RTD only manages a fraction of the city’s stops, it works with local municipalities and private companies to fund and maintain their shelters and seats.
“Which amenities are installed at locations depends on a number of factors, such as the frequency of routes served by the bus stop, boarding and alighting, permits, as well as the space available to install such amenities. Bus stops located at private property would also require approval from the property owner to install shelters and benches,” he added later via email.
Warren says more can be done to secure seats at more bus stops, though he’s not critical of anyone at RTD in particular.
“They’re all generally incredibly kind and thoughtful people who want the best for our community,” he said. But that is not enough, he added.
“I’d love to see them step up and put their money where their mouth is, you know.”
There are more than 9,700 transit stops throughout Denver. (Justin Bye)
Positive response
Warren says he’s heard firsthand the difference the chance to take out a load while you wait has made for people. One of his favorite things to do is to walk by one of his stalls and see people sitting on it. “I was talking to some women who said, ‘Oh, we use this bus stop every day to go to work. And that was much better every morning waiting for the bus,” he said. “And I talked to one person who, you know, was like, ‘I only live seven blocks from here, but I can’t walk long distances. And for the same reason, I can’t stand for long periods of time either. And so that’s just such a blessing for him.” Sometimes a bench is lost or decorated with graffiti, but neither deters Warren from building another. (Submitted by James Warren) Every now and then, one of Warren’s stalls disappears or is adorned with graffiti. But Warren says it doesn’t bother him. In fact, he sees it as the community adding their own art to what he put out there. And it won’t deter him from continuing to build. “I sit behind a computer screen all day, so it’s definitely helpful to get out there and work with tools,” he said. “And for as long as I am able, I will continue to advocate for better transport options and better transport facilities at our bus stops to anyone who will listen.” Written by Stephanie Hogan. Interview produced by Aloysius Wong.
title: “A Denver Man Saw Too Many People Standing At Bus Stops. So He Made Them A Bench Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-06” author: “Gary Benzing”
That’s why when James Warren saw a woman sitting in the dirt waiting for her bus earlier this year, he decided something had to change. “I thought, oh, this is just indecent,” Warren, who lives in Denver, told As It Happens guest host Susan Bonner. So he started making benches himself. Since January, the 28-year-old mobility and transport advocate has built eight benches, all from wood scavenged in the city. There are approximately 9,700 bus stops throughout the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD), but RTD only operates about 300 of them. Warren gave up his car a few years ago and started noticing that many of the stands he was using didn’t have any kind of seat. Warren says he’s had offers for materials and construction help from many people. (Karli Haugom) “There’s a lot of construction in my neighborhood. They end up throwing away, you know, stuff that’s perfect,” he said. “So I take some of these materials and put them together in whatever way will work.” Where he puts the stalls depends on a few things. Sometimes he relies on proximity — where he can easily transport a stall since he doesn’t have a car. Sometimes it is his own experience to wait at a stop without a seat. Other times, the impetus is a conversation Warren has with a stranger who’s hot and tired or carrying a bunch of grocery bags. “It just makes me realize, oh man, this person’s life could be so much better if I put a bench in here.” Warren says one of his favorite things is walking by one of his benches and seeing someone sitting on it. (Submitted by James Warren)
‘Be polite’
Each bench made by Warren is emblazoned with the words “Be Kind.”
“It’s a good message. It’s a message that anyone can do,” Warren said. “Spread a little more kindness in the world and be a little kinder to your neighbor and just try to be a little more thoughtful and aware of other people’s needs.”
The message seems to be resonating. Warren’s had several offers of help.
“I’ve gotten probably a dozen people who say they want to work on one with me or, you know, they have a truck and they’re excited to maybe help me move a stall to another location,” he said.
Each stall bears the words ‘Be kind’. (Submitted by James Warren)
“I’ve even had people donate supplies like wood, and someone even offered to donate money and I said, ‘Don’t do that.’ You know, all the materials come to me freely.”
Brandon Figliolino, senior community engagement specialist at RTD, says he has spoken with Warren about how RTD manages its shelters and the amenity application process for them.
“When our customers come to us with concerns about bus stops and the lack of infrastructure at some of them, we appreciate having that dialogue with our customers and then with municipalities so we can find a solution.”
Figliolino says that since RTD only manages a fraction of the city’s stops, it works with local municipalities and private companies to fund and maintain their shelters and seats.
“Which amenities are installed at locations depends on a number of factors, such as the frequency of routes served by the bus stop, boarding and alighting, permits, as well as the space available to install such amenities. Bus stops located at private property would also require approval from the property owner to install shelters and benches,” he added later via email.
Warren says more can be done to secure seats at more bus stops, though he’s not critical of anyone at RTD in particular.
“They’re all generally incredibly kind and thoughtful people who want the best for our community,” he said. But that is not enough, he added.
“I’d love to see them step up and put their money where their mouth is, you know.”
There are more than 9,700 transit stops throughout Denver. (Justin Bye)
Positive response
Warren says he’s heard firsthand the difference the chance to take out a load while you wait has made for people. One of his favorite things to do is to walk by one of his stalls and see people sitting on it. “I was talking to some women who said, ‘Oh, we use this bus stop every day to go to work. And that was much better every morning waiting for the bus,” he said. “And I talked to one person who, you know, was like, ‘I only live seven blocks from here, but I can’t walk long distances. And for the same reason, I can’t stand for long periods of time either. And so that’s just such a blessing for him.” Sometimes a bench is lost or decorated with graffiti, but neither deters Warren from building another. (Submitted by James Warren) Every now and then, one of Warren’s stalls disappears or is adorned with graffiti. But Warren says it doesn’t bother him. In fact, he sees it as the community adding their own art to what he put out there. And it won’t deter him from continuing to build. “I sit behind a computer screen all day, so it’s definitely helpful to get out there and work with tools,” he said. “And for as long as I am able, I will continue to advocate for better transport options and better transport facilities at our bus stops to anyone who will listen.” Written by Stephanie Hogan. Interview produced by Aloysius Wong.
title: “A Denver Man Saw Too Many People Standing At Bus Stops. So He Made Them A Bench Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Mark Heyne”
That’s why when James Warren saw a woman sitting in the dirt waiting for her bus earlier this year, he decided something had to change. “I thought, oh, this is just indecent,” Warren, who lives in Denver, told As It Happens guest host Susan Bonner. So he started making benches himself. Since January, the 28-year-old mobility and transport advocate has built eight benches, all from wood scavenged in the city. There are approximately 9,700 bus stops throughout the Denver Regional Transit District (RTD), but RTD only operates about 300 of them. Warren gave up his car a few years ago and started noticing that many of the stands he was using didn’t have any kind of seat. Warren says he’s had offers for materials and construction help from many people. (Karli Haugom) “There’s a lot of construction in my neighborhood. They end up throwing away, you know, stuff that’s perfect,” he said. “So I take some of these materials and put them together in whatever way will work.” Where he puts the stalls depends on a few things. Sometimes he relies on proximity — where he can easily transport a stall since he doesn’t have a car. Sometimes it is his own experience to wait at a stop without a seat. Other times, the impetus is a conversation Warren has with a stranger who’s hot and tired or carrying a bunch of grocery bags. “It just makes me realize, oh man, this person’s life could be so much better if I put a bench in here.” Warren says one of his favorite things is walking by one of his benches and seeing someone sitting on it. (Submitted by James Warren)
‘Be polite’
Each bench made by Warren is emblazoned with the words “Be Kind.”
“It’s a good message. It’s a message that anyone can do,” Warren said. “Spread a little more kindness in the world and be a little kinder to your neighbor and just try to be a little more thoughtful and aware of other people’s needs.”
The message seems to be resonating. Warren’s had several offers of help.
“I’ve gotten probably a dozen people who say they want to work on one with me or, you know, they have a truck and they’re excited to maybe help me move a stall to another location,” he said.
Each stall bears the words ‘Be kind’. (Submitted by James Warren)
“I’ve even had people donate supplies like wood, and someone even offered to donate money and I said, ‘Don’t do that.’ You know, all the materials come to me freely.”
Brandon Figliolino, senior community engagement specialist at RTD, says he has spoken with Warren about how RTD manages its shelters and the amenity application process for them.
“When our customers come to us with concerns about bus stops and the lack of infrastructure at some of them, we appreciate having that dialogue with our customers and then with municipalities so we can find a solution.”
Figliolino says that since RTD only manages a fraction of the city’s stops, it works with local municipalities and private companies to fund and maintain their shelters and seats.
“Which amenities are installed at locations depends on a number of factors, such as the frequency of routes served by the bus stop, boarding and alighting, permits, as well as the space available to install such amenities. Bus stops located at private property would also require approval from the property owner to install shelters and benches,” he added later via email.
Warren says more can be done to secure seats at more bus stops, though he’s not critical of anyone at RTD in particular.
“They’re all generally incredibly kind and thoughtful people who want the best for our community,” he said. But that is not enough, he added.
“I’d love to see them step up and put their money where their mouth is, you know.”
There are more than 9,700 transit stops throughout Denver. (Justin Bye)
Positive response
Warren says he’s heard firsthand the difference the chance to take out a load while you wait has made for people. One of his favorite things to do is to walk by one of his stalls and see people sitting on it. “I was talking to some women who said, ‘Oh, we use this bus stop every day to go to work. And that was much better every morning waiting for the bus,” he said. “And I talked to one person who, you know, was like, ‘I only live seven blocks from here, but I can’t walk long distances. And for the same reason, I can’t stand for long periods of time either. And so that’s just such a blessing for him.” Sometimes a bench is lost or decorated with graffiti, but neither deters Warren from building another. (Submitted by James Warren) Every now and then, one of Warren’s stalls disappears or is adorned with graffiti. But Warren says it doesn’t bother him. In fact, he sees it as the community adding their own art to what he put out there. And it won’t deter him from continuing to build. “I sit behind a computer screen all day, so it’s definitely helpful to get out there and work with tools,” he said. “And for as long as I am able, I will continue to advocate for better transport options and better transport facilities at our bus stops to anyone who will listen.” Written by Stephanie Hogan. Interview produced by Aloysius Wong.
