New bus stop designs

[ILUVTulsa]

I too would like to see how they work. I've already responded to the drawback of them. How do those waiting for the bus know it has arrived if their back is turned towards it?

I'm not saying that it isn't a good idea, I'm genuinely curious about how they work. And your lucky that, given your attitude, I even care.

The front of the shelter is the former back of the shelter.  Just turn this 180 degrees.

[custosnox]

The front of the shelter is the former back of the shelter.  Just turn this 180 degrees.

In general, the shelters are not competely transparant, as the transit system wants to make some extra money to offset costs by placing adds on the shelters.  It was stated before that Seatle has shelters that protect the patron from the street.  I would like to see exactly how this is set up. 
Also, if you just turn this shelter around, then your going to have to walk around the shelter to get on the bus, which around here could easily mean missing the bus.

[TheArtist]

I saw some shelters that had a waist high "splash guard" close to the curb, then the sidewalk, then the bus shelter.  There were also some that had the opaque waist high wall, then above that a glass wall which arched over the sidewalk and then connected to the bus shelter. Those bus shelters also seemed to have a sidewalk behind them as well.

Many of the BRT Bus Rapid Transit systems had the elevated, enclosed, shelters like the tube one shown on the first page. They act much like rail shelters in that a single or double bus can pull right up close and people file directly into and out of the bus doors. These can act as an interim or midway system when your building up to rail, but dont quite need it yet or are unable to put it in an area for some reason. Still building up density, connections, etc. But the BRT stations can show a level of commitment and direction for certain areas which the city can use to start encouraging TOD. 

[SXSW]

Install interesting bus shelters like the ones posted along certain 'high frequency' routes and I would almost guarantee ridership would increase.  A big problem with getting people to ride buses is that they are worried the bus won't follow its schedule.  Shelters, as opposed to just a sign, are permanent indicators that a bus stops there and will be stopping there for the foreseeable future which allows people to trust that the bus will be there when they need it.  Good routes for permanent, interesting shelters would be along the 105 (Peoria), 111 (11th St.), 215 (15th St.), 221 (21st St./31st St.), 112 (Lewis), and the 471 (71st St.). 

[custosnox]

Install interesting bus shelters like the ones posted along certain 'high frequency' routes and I would almost guarantee ridership would increase.  A big problem with getting people to ride buses is that they are worried the bus won't follow its schedule.  Shelters, as opposed to just a sign, are permanent indicators that a bus stops there and will be stopping there for the foreseeable future which allows people to trust that the bus will be there when they need it.  Good routes for permanent, interesting shelters would be along the 105 (Peoria), 111 (11th St.), 215 (15th St.), 221 (21st St./31st St.), 112 (Lewis), and the 471 (71st St.). 

The schedules seem to be followed pretty well (except the guy that drives on fridays that likes to come early, like before I can get out my front door), so if the beginning relationship with rider/transit system can be ignited, then that would be in place. 
I do think that one of the problems with the bus system is the poor condition that they are actually in.  I should have taken pictures of this mornings bus.  The seats were coming apart, and stained, and the interior paint was peeling.  It's like they have no pride.

[T-TownMike]

Install interesting bus shelters like the ones posted along certain 'high frequency' routes and I would almost guarantee ridership would increase.  A big problem with getting people to ride buses is that they are worried the bus won't follow its schedule.  Shelters, as opposed to just a sign, are permanent indicators that a bus stops there and will be stopping there for the foreseeable future which allows people to trust that the bus will be there when they need it.  Good routes for permanent, interesting shelters would be along the 105 (Peoria), 111 (11th St.), 215 (15th St.), 221 (21st St./31st St.), 112 (Lewis), and the 471 (71st St.). 

Agreed. DESIGNATION, SAFETY and VISABILTY are the keys to helping increasing ridership.