NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop

New York City has established its first rain garden on the roof of a bus shelter — and if the pilot proves to be a feasible way to improve life for bus commuters, it may be the start of a green redesign of bus shelters across the city. 

“The adornment adds color and life to the otherwise drab bus shelter, and officials say the plants can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater to reduce flooding during heavy rainstorms. Officials say the elevated garden could also cool down the shelter for riders waiting for buses on hot days,” Liam Quigley writes for Gothamist.

Nonprofit Resilient Cities Catalyst funded the project, which will be in place through at least November. The pilot comes at no cost to taxpayers.