Bus stop improvements

Bus stop locations can be reassessed to focus on providing well-spaced stops that are close to intersections and provide a high level of access to community facilities.

What is bus stop rationalisation?

This involves an overall reduction in the number of bus stops and / or the relocation of bus stops to sites where they are convenient for boarding and alighting passengers, whilst at the same time resulting in a reduction in the overall journey time between the origin and destination.

This may be particularly relevant in circumstances where:

  • buses experience delay in rejoining the traffic stream
  • there are too many bus stops along a route, increasing the proportion of stop time to travel time
  • bus stops are inappropriately located, for example just before traffic signals
  • investigation shows bus stops are hardly, if ever, used

It is important when considering the rationalisation of bus stops along a route that high passenger usage at a particular stop is accounted for, as well as the type of road. Bus stop locations can be rationalised so they provide well-spaced stops close to intersections and provide a high level of access to community facilities.

Christchurch City Council's bus stop location policy and guidelines were adopted in December 1999, and sets out a framework for locating bus stops around the City.

Advantages of bus stop rationalisation

  • Reduces corridor time
  • Provides more efficient bus stops
  • Improves access to the bus stops