On Thursday, May 31st, 2007, the Bus Stop Living Room made it's debut and finale all within a 14 hour time span.

At 7AM, we arrived to the site with half the materials because the vehicle we used to transport everything was a 4 door hatchback. After two trips, we finally got all the goods to the site at around 8AM to begin setting up. The gazebo took us a good 15 minutes longer than expected to set up because the parts were labeled wrong. However with the help of Christine’s roommate and random UCSD students, we were able to set up the gazebo quickly. We then proceeded to decide where we wanted to place the gazebo. We concluded that the gazebo should be placed three feet from the original bus bench so there would be adequate distance to be able to sit under the gazebo and be able to see the bus when it passed by. With our exact location decided, we went on to assemble the two rocking chairs, which we timed at about ten minutes to complete, and set them under the gazebo.

To utilize the space to its full potential, we place the loveseat and two rocking chairs facing towards the street. The two game tables were set to one side of the gazebo and situated in a way so that if two people were playing a game, at least one person would be facing the street and therefore would be able to let the other person know about a bus’s arrival. With all of our furniture in place, our living room was up and ready for people.

For the next 12 hours we watched, listened, and examined everyone’s reaction to the living room. These were some of the things we noticed about the people and the space:

• No one would sit in the living room unless there was someone else sitting there or until we let them know that the living room was available for them.

• It was amusing to see people’s reactions as they first sat in the rocking chairs since the chairs lean back. It’s first a look of surprise and then a look of happiness.

• The majority of the people thanked us before they left the living room.

• People getting on the Campus Hillcrest Shuttle seemed to be the friendliest and the people getting on the Campus Loop typically just waiting on the original bench.

• Some people intentionally skipped their bus in order to hang out more.

• A lot of people didn’t want to leave the comfortable living room for work. Some even cut work in order to play one more game.

• People started signing the guestbook when they saw other people signing it. They all seem really eager to write down their comments.

• A bus driver from the MTS bus from across the street came over to ask us if we were a chess club and asked when we practiced since he wanted to join in on the chess fun.

• All the bus drivers in general seemed to be in a jolly and happy mood. They all were smiling when they stopped by the living room.

• Almost everyone was quite delighted with the new bus stop. They begged us to not tear it down and to keep it permanently.

::The Feedback::

"Much more inviting and comfortable than the regular bench. I like it - let's keep it!" - Anonymous

"Oasis by the road." - Charles T.

"This is awesome. Much more comfortable than sitting ont hose cold, hard benches. Good luck with the project!" -Annie Y.

"This is awesome. I've been standing for about 4-5 ohurs and it's great to be able to sit down somewhere comfy and wait for the bus. It is a load off my feet. Whoever thought of this has my thanks so Thanks!" -Bus Waiter

"Excellent idea. It's about time people recognize shuttle waiting/riding as a social event participants ought to enjoy. What better way to encourage alternatives to driving than to offer such comfortable incentives!" - Randy V. (Sociology, Undegrad Senior)

"Thank you for the chairs! It's probably the best idea ever! We just missed the bus. Thank GOD! Have a great weekend!" - Anonymous