Metro Transit is looking for businesses and other groups to keep bus stops clean.

It launched its Adopt-A-Stop program Thursday outside the Reliance Bank at 1021 North Grand Boulevard, the first such “adopter” of a bus stop.

Reliance Bank also has pledged to keep tidy the stop outside its branch at tManchester and Tower Grove avenues.

Ray Friem, executive director of Metro Transit, said Thursday that the program is a way to help beautify communities.

Allan Ivie IV, president of community banking at Reliance Bank, echoed those sentiments and said the bank views adopting the bus stops as a way to create a welcoming place for customers, and for branding.

The name of the organization that adopts each stop is displayed on a sign at the stop.

Participants must agree to keep the area around the bus stop looking good and garbage-free for one year. Metro Transit gives them trash bags, and six one-day Metro Transit passes.

To apply to adopt a bus stop, call 314-982-1466 or go to metrostlouis.org/adoptastop.

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