Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
America's Best Best Stops 2022

The Brake: Where Do Great Bus Stops Come From — And How Do We Get More Of Them?

Photo: Maria DB, CC

Streetsblog's America's Best Bus Stops Contest is down to its final two contenders. Nationwide, though, the United States have a lot more sorry stops than good ones — and to understand how our two wonderful waiting areas bucked the trend, we brought in an expert for some game-time commentary.

Today, Streetsblog's podcast, The Brake, is talking with bus stop expert and Transit Center Senior Research Associate Mary Buchanan, author of the indispensable report From Sorry to Superb: Everything You Need to Know About Great Bus Stops.

Host Kea Wilson chats with Buchanan about how cities can create — or fight for — the structural conditions that help create great bus stops, and keep them well-maintained for years to come. In addition to sharing her thoughts on the finalists, Buchanan gives us a quick tour of the latest research on which essential bus stop features actually get Americans onto shared modes, and which ones are just nice to have. And then we dig into why America's best bus networks might not have a whole lot of "great" stops at all — but they would have plenty of adequate ones.

Give it a listen, and don't forget to vote in the final round of America's Best Bus Stops by Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. ET.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Monday’s Headlines Keep on Moving, Don’t Stop

What if you could hop on a bus the same way you stepped onto a sidewalk? Fast Company has the answer.

May 12, 2025

US DOT Says It’s ‘Getting America Building’ — But Leaves Transit and Safety In Limbo

The feds are finally giving out money again — but not everyone is getting their promised funds.

May 12, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Got DOGE’d Again

Amidst uncertainty about future federal funding, Amtrak is cutting $100 million and 450 jobs.

May 9, 2025

Friday Video: Where Was the First Public Bus Route in the World?

...and which surprising historical figure helped launch it?

May 9, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: ‘Normal’ is Not Correct, Someone Died Here

After a crash, the debris is quickly cleaned up and everyone moves on (usually too quickly). But these two experts are asking us to all slow down.

May 8, 2025
See all posts