The Problem with Frequent Stops
Buses in American cities crawl along at average speeds of just 8 miles per hour—barely faster than walking. One major culprit is stop frequency: US buses typically stop every 700-800 feet, while European systems use 1,300-foot spacing.
This difference isn’t trivial. Every stop costs time—deceleration, boarding, acceleration, and sometimes missed traffic signals. Buses spend roughly 20% of their journey time in the stop-start cycle.
The European Comparison
In cities like Hanover, Germany, buses maintain higher average speeds because they stop less frequently. The mean stop spacing in the US is about 313 meters (5 stops per mile), compared to 300-450 meters in Western Europe. In older American cities like Chicago and Philadelphia, stops are even closer—up to 8 per mile.
The result? Despite having fewer stops, European buses achieve higher ridership. When transit is faster and more reliable, people choose it over driving.
What Is Stop Balancing?
Stop balancing is the strategic removal of redundant bus stops. Unlike expensive infrastructure projects, it requires no construction—just removing signs and updating schedules. Transit agencies can implement it quickly and cheaply.
The benefits are substantial. Studies show removing a stop saves riders 12-24 seconds. San Francisco increased bus speeds by 4.4-14% by reducing stops from 6 per mile to 2.5. Vancouver’s pilot program saved passengers 5 minutes on average, 10 minutes on busy trips. Los Angeles saw a 29% speed increase and 33% ridership boost on a limited-stop corridor.
Does It Reduce Access?
A common concern is that fewer stops mean reduced coverage. But research suggests otherwise. A McGill study found that even substantial stop consolidation reduced system coverage by only 1%. In San Luis Obispo, a 44% reduction in stops caused just 13% less coverage area.
This is because many stops have overlapping walksheds—areas within walking distance. When stops are too close together, they’re competing for the same riders. Closing one rarely forces anyone to walk significantly farther.
Quality Over Quantity
Fewer stops allow agencies to invest more in each one. US stops are often little more than a pole with a sign, lacking shelters, benches, or real-time information. French cities like Marseille provide shelters and seating by default, with higher-quality stops offering lighting, level boarding, and pedestrian improvements.
Takeaway
Stop balancing offers a rare combination in transportation policy: it’s fast, cheap, and effective. While rail expansions and bus lanes grab headlines, the humble act of removing redundant stops might do more to make transit competitive—and it can be done this month, not years from now.
Image credit: Worksinprogress