Three months after a seat at a bus stop was blocked off to enable construction work at the site of the new South Dunedin library — and after three months of advocacy from Mrs Millar — the Dunedin City Council has installed a new seat for the stop outside the construction site’s barricades.
"I have to be honest and say when they did come back and say that they were aware of the community and the needs of the community — I think that’s the biggest thing," Mrs Millar said.
"It may only be a small thing like a seat at a bus stop, but honestly for commuters and for the community, it’s quite a big thing.
"I’m very grateful that the council has taken on board what the community needs are."
Mrs Millar said when barricades were installed along the footpaths for the construction of the new South Dunedin library, the seat was inside the barricade.
Now, the council had installed a bus seat outside a nearby shopfront.
And waiting for the bus was now more comfortable.
It was not always easy to stand while waiting for the bus, especially after shopping, she said.
If she missed the bus on a weekday, she could have been left standing for 15 minutes, but on the weekend the wait could be up to half an hour, she said.
She said when the city council contacted her to tell her the bus seat had been reinstated, the correspondence she received said it had been in part due to her advocacy .
"So I think in other words, I’ve been driving them a little bit mad.
"Look, it’s been going back and forwards for about three months we’ve been trying to sort this out.
"It’s absolutely a relief, not only for me, but other people. The lady today that was sitting beside me when I got there said to me, ‘Oh, it’s so nice to sit down’."
A council spokesman said when construction of the library was closer to being completed and the hoardings were removed, the seat would be moved closer to the bus stop to better serve the public.
"Many thanks, Jo, for reaching out and advocating for the community.
"We’re pleased to know the community are happy with the new seat."
