Bus Stop Improvements

Bus Stop Improvements

Bus stops play an important role in how our riders experience transit. GoTriangle is working closely with GoDurham and the City of Durham to continuously improve our bus stops by providing the best amenities for riders as they board and depart the bus. Listening to what riders, businesses, churches, and other community institutions need is a significant part of the process for choosing which bus stop improvements to make.    

GoTriangle is actively improving stops in collaboration with the city to meet Durham’s standards for accessibility, shelter, seating, security, and lighting. Local funding is dedicated each year to bus stop improvements throughout the city. A combination of funds dedicated to transit – a half-cent sales tax, vehicle registration fees, and a vehicle rental tax – along with the city’s Participatory Budgeting program will pay for the improvements. 


The first map in the following section documents bus stop improvements done to GoTriangle stops in Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties, and the second map tracks improvement of bus stops in Durham using Durham County Transit funds.




Share your thoughts

GoTriangle continues to welcome input from members of the community about where possible bus stop improvements are needed. Submit a stop by filling out the form found here.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who can request a bus stop or bus stop improvement?

Anyone can request a bus stop be created or improved with amenities, such as a bench, covered shelter, improved lighting and trash receptacle. 

Where do you call?

Just call 919-485-RIDE to make your request to the Regional Information Center that serves all transit agencies in the Triangle. Although your request will be accepted and passed along to the appropriate agency, please be aware that GoTriangle only has jurisdiction to build or improve its own bus stops or bus stops in Durham that are funded by the Durham Transit Plan.

What happens next?

Bus stops seem simple to build, but they’re not. Getting a stop built or improved requires a “yes” to many questions and may require the approval of private individuals and governmental agencies. 

What factors into whether we build or improve a stop?

  • Ridership: Our minimum requirement is 10 average weekday boardings for installing a bench and 20 average weekday boardings a day for a shelter.
  • Local permission: Who owns the land and are they willing to sell or provide a right of way?
  • Drainage:  Is the slope conducive to building?
  • Americans with Disability Act accessibility: Is there adequate space to provide access to people with disabilities? (If a stop already meets ADA requirements, GoTriangle does not prioritize improving it until we have made all existing stops ADA-accessible.)
  • Safe pedestrian crossings: When there is a “paired” stop across the street for return trips, is it safe for riders to access the bus stops on both sides of the street?
  • Distance between bus stops: Does this stop allow for efficient route times?
  • Safety for bus operators: Is this stop a safe place for operators to stop the bus?
     

How much does a stop cost to build?

A bus stop costs at least $66,000, including surveying, designing, engineering, permitting and building.

Who funds bus stop creation/improvements?

Multiple sources fund bus stops improvements. The half-cent sales tax in Wake, Durham and Orange counties is the primary source. GoTriangle applies for federal funding when possible, and although doing so saves local funds, it also adds time to obtain approvals.

What does a standard bus stop include?

Our standard stop includes a sign, a concrete landing and waiting area, a trash can, and when no streetlight is nearby, pedestrian-scale lighting.  We will also improve existing sidewalks and crossings (including curb ramps) when there is a “paired” stop across the street for a return trip. 

How often are bus stops serviced/cleaned?

You can request a bus stop be cleaned or serviced by making your request at 919-485-RIDE, the Regional Information Center. We are developing a maintenance schedule for all of our stops.

How long does it take to build or improve a stop?

A stop with no complications takes about 18 to 24 months to survey, design, obtain permits, go through the procurement process for obtaining contractors and construct.  Often the busiest stops are also the most complicated and take longer. An exception is that GoTriangle’s tactical improvement program allows Simme-seats to be installed on existing sidewalks if space exists to allow an ADA-accessible pedestrian travel way in front of the seats. These Simme-seats are temporary improvements while the larger improvement project is happening in the background.

Can anyone sponsor one? What is the process to request to sponsor one?

We do not have bus stop sponsorships.