A frequent complaint of Wave Transit bus riders is they often have to stand in the rain waiting for their bus. But for Wave Transit, installing benches and shelters at bus stops isn’t as easy as taking them there and setting them down.

There are many details that Wave must work out before installing the bus stop amenities, said Matthew Kunic, Wave planner.

First, the bench location must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which means it must have proper sidewalks, wheelchair access and clearance. This can prevent – or at least delay Wave from installing a bench or shelter at certain stops.

Second, Wave must get an encroachment agreement from the owner of the land that the bench or shelter will go on — often the city of Wilmington or the N.C. Department of Transportation. That can take several months.

Also, benches must be installed on a concrete pad connecting to an ADA compliant sidewalk or slab for wheelchair access. And finally, it costs about $10,000 to $12,000 to buy and install a bench, shelter and trash can for any stop.

Wave installed seven of its 14 shelters and benches in 2009, and hopes to install the remaining seven in 2010.

“We will continue to work with individuals, local businesses and organizations, and other entities to ensure this process of installing amenities is completed as quickly as possible,” Kunic wrote in an e-mail.

Wave has a long list of places where it wants to put shelters and benches.

That said, according to Kunic, here are a few locations set to get benches and shelters soon:

Shelters, benches and trash cans

908 S. 16th St., near Dawson Street, routes 106 and 202

5226 Sigmon Road, Walmart, route 101

Benches and trash cans

South 16th Street/Greenfield Street, Wilmington Housing Authority, routes 106 and 202

250 Racine Drive, Racine Commons, route 102

Date posted: February 8, 2010