Ace Sign Company Bus Bench Contract Approved by Springfield City Council

An SMTD bus stop with an Ace Sign Company-owned courtesy bus bench.

Some benches will be relocated

One of the lesser-known facts about transit in Springfield is that the bus benches featuring advertising that are scattered at bus stops around the city are not, in fact, owned by SMTD. Instead, they are owned and maintained by Ace Sign Company. Because the benches are in the public right-of-way, Ace needs a contract with the City of Springfield for permission to place these benches. Earlier in April, the Springfield City Council voted to approve a 10-year contract with Ace Sign Company for these benches. Ace Sign Company has agreed to maintain the benches, keep the weeds and grass around them cut, and share some of the advertising revenue with city government.

A concern by many transit riders is that benches are not available where they are needed the most, and that some benches are still located at bus stops that were closed many years ago when routes were changed. Friends of Transit reached out to city government and Ace Sign Company about this and received commitments that benches would only be located at active bus stops.

In the near future, Friends of Transit will be taking on the issue of unimproved bus stops. We will be working with all relevant partners - Ace Sign Company, SMTD, the City of Springfield, and others - to make an action plan to modernize every bus stop in the system. In the meantime, we want to hear from folks about their experiences. If a stop you use does not have a place to be seated and you would like to request a bench, please contact Friends of Transit at info@transitspringfield.com. We will attempt to find a solution to every request we receive.