The Utah Transit Authority is hoping to get individuals and organizations involved in taking care of their local public transit through its Adopt-a-Stop program.
Bus stops across the Wasatch Front, such as the "Crimson Legacy" station near Brigham Young University's South Campus, are listed as available for adoption by the UTA. Interested parties who live within half a mile of the stop can apply to adopt it for two years.
Those who adopt stations are given a $500 stipend to commission or create artwork that will be displayed at the bus stop. Adopters are also responsible for regularly checking on conditions at the station, providing regular cleaning and reporting vandalism to the UTA.
Taking care of these bus stops has a positive impact on the communities they serve, both locals and tourists to Utah say.
Adriel Biada, a Peruvian student and seasonal Snowbasin employee, used the bus to sightsee in Salt Lake City on his day off. He likes the Adopt-a-Stop initiative and the visual interest the adopted stops create, he said.
"It looks more beautiful," Biada said. "People can help, also, so I think it could be better if people would help improve the bus stop; so, common areas."
Ali Al-Hemrani, an employee at Salt City Smoke, believes having clean and safe bus stops is important. An adopted stop with the phrase "Heal Utah" is next to his store's parking lot.
"Having a nice bus stop is nice," Al-Hemrani said. "I mean, it looks better for the community. I mean, I like how it's painted; the other one isn't, the one across the street isn't."
Utah's public bus stops directly affect Al-Hemrani's family, he said.
"My sisters use it to go to school," Al-Hemrani said. "I feel like having nicer bus stops would help with that."
To learn more about the Adopt-a-Stop program or fill out an application, click here.