Calgary Transit’s new pilot program is asking you to choose between steel or concrete benches at CTrain stations.
The two new bench styles are now in the test phase at select Ctrain locations, including Brentwood, City Hall, and the Marlborough stop.
The benches are corrosion-resistant and designed for easy repairs, according to a city news release. They are meant to provide comfort to customers while also withstanding everyday use.
Chris Jordan, the manager of Transit Service Systems, says the goal of this pilot project is not only to replace weathered existing structures, but to do it at an affordable price, lasting approximately 10 years.
“But also address the need for customer amenities at stops and stations at our primary transit network,” he said.
Some question the city’s actions, including Mount Royal University Social Work professor Peter Choate, who wonders if the city should be more focused on the unhoused.
“When you try to do things that don’t solve problems, that’s when people will look and say, ‘Well, you did that and that didn’t work, did it?’ And, ‘how come you’re doing that over there now?'” he explained.
Those CityNews spoke with agree.
“We could have more beds in hospitals — more spaces in homeless shelters. Those kinds of things, I think, will be more impactful than benches in train stations,” one person said.
Another said, “If we’re changing benches, I would at least get the anti-homeless architecture off of them…at least get rid of the bars…it’s not helping anybody.”
Meanwhile, Jordon says the pilot will last until November 2026, giving Calgarians a year to share their experiences.
Look for signs and the URL codes at the three Ctrain pilot platforms to provide your responses.