Importance of Bus Stops
Buses fill an important role in the City's transportation network. Every day, buses running through the City of Falls Church pickup 1,400 passengers (source: WMTA ridership data). All of those pickups are made at bus stops. Well-designed bus stops provide a safe, comfortable place to wait for the bus. They also provide information about bus service and nearby amenities, such as shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Purpose of the Plan
This plan establishes design standards for bus stops in the City of Falls Church, including the size, positioning, and style of shelters, benches, trash and recycling cans, and informational signs. These standards should be used in the design of all bus stops in the city, whether publicly or privately funded.
This plan also identifies preferred locations for bus stops throughout the city. The preferred locations were selected taking into account ridership, nearby uses, and industry best practices regarding the placement of stops. Existing stops should be consolidated or shifted as necessary to match the preferred locations.
Lastly, this plan provides guidelines for implementation. The guidance includes direction to remain flexible to changing conditions and responsive to opportunities. The guidance also includes a timeline for improving bus stops in the city consistent with the guidelines of this plan.