Who’s leaving homemade multicolor benches at Lexington bus stops? Lextran doesn’t know

Someone has been giving bus riders a place to take a load off by putting colorful homemade benches at Lextran stops, and Lextran wants to know the identity of the do-gooder responsible.

“It is definitely a mystery,” said Jill Barnett, Lextran’s director of community affairs.

Barnett said she’s contacted several groups but hasn’t been able to determine where the benches are coming from.

“No one sees it happen,” she said

The benches, which might have been made from pallets, began appearing in early December, and at least six have been placed around town, Barnett said.

Lextran is leaving the benches where they are for now, but Barnett said she’d like to work with the builder to make sure the benches aren’t too close to traffic or blocking sidewalks.

“I don’t want to just take them away when somebody’s put their effort into it,” she said. “I’d love to talk to them and find a way that we can collaborate.”

Barnett said lots of factors influence whether the transit system places a bench at a bus stop, including whether there is enough public right of way and whether at least 15 people get on the bus there each day. She said the cost of of the bench, site preparation and installation also are considerations.

Barnett said anyone with information about the mysterious benches may email her at jbarnett@lextran.com.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Who’s leaving homemade multicolor benches at Lexington bus stops? Lextran doesn’t know."