In early March 2024, Intersection maintenance crews replaced the eastbound TriMet 19 bus stop bench at NE Glisan and 78th Avenue. A July 2023 car crash demolished the previous seating that serves double duty as an advertising platform. Transit riders will enjoy having seating again as this stop which serves two adjacent churches and sees steady use.
Original article published December 18th, 2023
Since July, eastbound TriMet 19 bus line riders have needed to stand while waiting at NE Glisan and 78th Avenue. A car crash at the southwest corner mangled the blue transit bench and damaged the bus stop signpost. TriMet crews promptly repaired their equipment, but an advertising partner, Intersection, owns the seating at this stop. Maintenance crews with that company have recently removed the broken bench and plan to replace it soon.
Intersection’s exclusive partnerships with TriMet expose their ads to riders and people within eyesight of a bus, MAX, or Streetcar. Advertising revenue from relationships like this generates over $3 million for the transit service and provides seating for some passengers waiting to board their bus. Stop-shelters with integrated seating are paid for and maintained by TriMet. However, not every stop has a shelter. Instead, some of those uncovered locations benefit from Intersection benches with advertisements placed on the backrests.
TriMet representatives said they placed a work order with Intersection shortly after the July crash. However, repairs did not occur until TriMet again contacted the company, seeking an update on the delayed repair. Intersection crews are often timely with maintenance, quickly replacing similarly damaged blue benches. A May 2022 car crash into the McDonald’s restaurant at 8149 SE Stark Street decimated the advertising-backed seating at the adjacent bus stop. Intersection repair crews replaced that unit within a month.
The delay in bench repair likely comes down to miscommunication between the transit agency and its advertising partner. People should expect to see a new bench at the NE Glisan and 78th Avenue bus stop soon, and riders leaning back on an advertisement can know it helps sponsor their seat.
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