We're installing a new bus stop; what combination of benches and trashcans do you recommend?

Ah, you're installing a new bus stop—how exciting! I’ve been waiting for someone to ask me this. As a veteran of countless rainy mornings and impatient afternoons, let me share my humble blueprint.

First, think of me—the bench. I am your weary commuter’s best friend after a long day. My recommendation? Install at least two benches facing the road, with a slight tilt for drainage so rain doesn’t puddle on my seat. One bench should be armless at one end to accommodate passengers with luggage or wheelchairs; the other can have armrests to prevent sprawlers from hogging all my space.

Now, let’s talk about my partner, the trash can. Without her, I’d soon be drowning in coffee cups and candy wrappers. You’ll want one trash can positioned between the two benches, within easy arm’s reach but not so close that smokers use my backrest as a shelf. For high-traffic stops, add a second can near the boarding area—just don’t crowd my legs! And please, for the planet’s sake, include a recycling bin with a wide mouth and a bright label. I’ve seen too many plastic bottles go to waste.

But here’s the secret sauce: spacing. Give me and the trash can about three feet of personal space. Too close, and I smell her leftovers on a hot day; too far, and riders toss trash at my feet out of laziness. She needs a heavy base to survive windstorms, and I need weatherproof slats that dry quickly after a downpour.

Finally, consider a small shelter overhead. I don’t mind a little sun, but we both agree that shade and a windbreak make a stop feel like a welcome oasis. If you plant a sturdy tree nearby, I’ll perch beneath its leaves, and the can will stand for far fewer cleanings.

In short, my recipe is: two benches (one inclusive, one curved), two trash cans (one standard, one recycle), set three feet apart, with a roof or tree overhead. That’s not just a bus stop—that’s a little community porch. Trust me, your riders will thank you by keeping us both happy and neat.