Bus stop

From Wikinfo

For other meanings, see Bus stop (disambiguation).

Bus shelter
Center Street Northeast
Salem, Oregon

A bus stop is a place where a public transport bus stops. The simplest kind has just a sign "bus stop but often line numbers and/or destinations are indicated. The times the bus departs may be given, or the whole timetable for the lines involved. A map of the bus lines and tariff information may be provided. Electronic signs may be present to tell real-time when the next bus is coming, regardless of schedules [1].

There may be a shelter, a bench, lighting and a garbage box.

A bus stop is often a "request stop": a bus does not stop there unless it is requested. Someone waiting at the stop has to pay attention and give a stop sign to halt the bus, and someone inside has to press a button or ask the driver. Some bus stops have a button to press, which controls a traffic signal for the bus at some distance before the stop.

An extensive combination of bus stops in one location is a bus station or bus depot, in the case of an end destination also called terminal station. It may have a waiting room instead of just shelters.

Platforms may be assigned to fixed bus lines, or variable in combination with a dynamic passenger information system [2]. The latter requires less platforms, but does not supply the passenger the comfort of knowing the platform well in advance and waiting there.

Image:Bus.stop.arp.750pix.jpg

A London Transport bus stop with an unusual view, inside London (Heathrow) Airport

In bus rapid transit systems, bus stops are more elaborate. They have enclosed areas to allow the collection of fares prior to the arrival of the bus. This allows for rapid boarding of the bus using all doors on the bus instead of queueing through the front doors and paying fares.