Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Sorriest Bus Stop in America 2016

America’s Sorriest Bus Stop: San Francisco vs. Hillsboro, Oregon

Oh, the terrible places you'll go to catch a bus. So far this week in our hunt for the Sorriest Bus Stop in America, a bus stop in Boston knocked off a real catastrophe in Nassau County to advance to the second round. Meanwhile, voting remains open until midnight in a tight contest between Maryland and Delaware.

Help narrow the field of 16 dangerous, uncomfortable bus stops down to eight by voting on these two West Coast competitors.

Hillsboro, Oregon

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 1.46.46 PM

This sad space comes to us from Sameer Moudgil. People really do wait for the bus here -- notice the human being on the left side of the Google Street View. Moudgil writes:

It has no bench, no shelter, no sidewalk and no crosswalk access within 0.3 miles. It sits sandwiched between the edge of a 50mph 7-lane stroad (including 2 bike lanes) and a heavy railroad track. The cherry on the cake is the Ford car/truck dealership on the other side of the stroad. I wanted to get a better angle from near the bus-stop but I couldn't muster up the courage to cross this freeway-like behemoth. I wonder how the lady in the Google street view image managed to do it.

Here's an alternate view that better captures the atmosphere:

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 1.40.49 PM

Agencies in charge: Oregon DOT, Tri-Met.

San Francisco 

unnamed

This stop on Lincoln Way, outside Golden Gate Park, comes to us from Janice Li, who writes:

I know this is probably not the nation's most compelling example because of San Francisco's dense urban landscape ("how bad can it be?", I imagine people would say) but there were 3 pedestrian deaths on this corridor in five years. This location remains on San Francisco's high-injury network, as designated by the city's Department of Public Health.

Lincoln Way forms the southern border of SF's premiere park, Golden Gate Park. It has a 35 mph speed limit but is a known speed corridor.

The 29-Sunset outbound drops you off on a patch of sidewalk. You notice that there is actually no sidewalk on that side of the street, despite that being the edge of the park. So, for example, if you want to take the bus to go the park, you have to cross the street, walk a block or two to wherever the next park entrance is, then cross again.

There are zero traffic controls at nearly every crossing along Lincoln Way (no stop signs, traffic signals, etc.). You hope for the goodness of people, who are driving 40-45 mph, to see you in time and stop.

Agency in charge: SFMTA.

An interesting choice today -- the suburban stroad bus stop without much besides a stick in the ground vs. the urban bus stop with minimal pedestrian infrastructure that exposes more people to dangerous conditions.

Here's the map of all the contestants so far, with today's matchup in green.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Are Friday’s Headlines the New Normal?

Transit ridership hasn't come all the way back from the pandemic, and they're going to need more federal help, along with other changes, says Governing magazine.

May 3, 2024

Friday Video: How to Make Places Safe For Non-Drivers After Dark

A top Paris pedestrian planner, a leading GIS professional, and Streetsblog's own Kea Wilson weigh in on the roots of America's nighttime road safety crisis, and the strategies that can help end it.

May 3, 2024

OPINION: Congestion Pricing Will Help My Family Get Around As We Navigate Cancer Treatment

My partner was recently diagnosed with cancer. Congestion pricing will make getting her to treatment faster and easier.

May 3, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Money is a Lot of Different Things

It's Part II of our discussion with Jim Kumon!

May 2, 2024

If Thursday’s Headlines Build It, They Will Come

Why can the U.S. quickly rebuild a bridge for cars, but not do the same for transit? It comes down to political will and a reliance on consultants.

May 2, 2024
See all posts