There are two different subjects involved in the installation of a bus stop that we will address on this page. The first is the actual process of installing the stop, the second
is some of the issues regarding selecting a site and why does that bus block traffic. Installation Process:
Many people ask what process is used to install a bus stop. The process varies by agency, but here is a fairly common set of steps that might be included. Stop is requested
- This can come from the public or from staff as a result of new or changed routing. Site is investigated
- The appropriate staff visit the site and see if it is suitable for a stop. In the case of new routes, this may require visiting many sites and selecting the best of them for new stops. This usually includes the creation of some sort of survey of the stop.
Adjacent property owner is notified
- Not all places have to do this, but many do. In some cases an encroachment agreement is needed as the stop is installed on private property instead of in the public right-of-way.
Permit is requested from controlling agency
- In a lot of places the transit agency must request an encroachment permit from the local government that controls the street where the stop is being installed. Stop is Installed
- After the permit is issued, orders are sent to install the stop. In some cases a bus stop is part of the conditions for a new development. These stops can be simple, allowing room for the stop on
the side of the street, or it may be an off street transit center. This all depends on the type of development, the needs of the transit district, and the cooperation of the local government. Who
does this work also varies by agency. In some cases the transit agency does all the work on the bus stops, in others the local government does the work. Choosing a bus stop site:
There are several different issues that come in the decision to place a bus stop at a given location. Street Width
- If a street is too narrow, a stop may not be installed because it is to dangerous. Width of Curb Lane
- There are two differing schools of thought in this, the first, favored by most city traffic engineers, is to get the bus totally out of traffic while it is in a stop, especially if the stop is on the far side on an intersection. The other, favored by some transit planners and operations people, is for the bus to totally block the lane of travel, this allows the bus to move faster as it does not have to worry about merging into traffic after boarding or deboarding passengers.
Adjacent Property
- It is usually better to place a stop next to someone who is less likely to complain. If you can put the stop next to a shopping center is is usually better then placing it in front of a single family house. There are occasions when there is no choice as to where the stop will be placed.
Physical Condition of the Street
- You want to place stops where the street will survive the repeated stopping and starting of the buses. Some cities require that concrete pads be placed in the street is the street is not strong enough to survive the bus, this usually requires 18 inches of asphalt and base rock. I know of one street that was destroyed by buses just driving along it, even without the added strain of the starting and stopping. The street had a thickness of 2 inches of asphalt over the native material.
Pedestrian Access - If the passengers can't get to the stop, you might as well not install it. This has become much more important with ADA. Potential Ridership
- You need at least something that will generate ridership. Putting a stop out in the middle of nowhere might be easy, but rabbits and squirrels usually don't ride the bus. Distance Between Stops
- You don't want stops too close together, or too far apart. Having them too close together slows the bus down too much, but having them too far apart can discourage potential riders from taking the bus. Common spacing is between 750 feet and 1500 feet. You will find stops in some areas closer or farther apart than this, depending on various conditions. |
