The Better Bus Stops program funds amenities at bus stops improving the rider experience. Launched in 2020, the program improves bus stops is funded by 2016 Measure B. Transit riders may have noticed new amenities installed at high frequency stops and corridors.
Transit Rider Amenities
Shelters
Starting in 2018 VTA’s new shelter design rolled out along Santa Clara Street, Alum Rock Avenue, Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Carlos Boulevard, Story Road and Keyes Street. More will be installed in 2022 through the Better Bus Stops program county-wide.
Lighting
The shelter upgrades include improved LED lighting that provides brighter lighting for passengers even under street lights. All new shelters will have an LED light at the roof, an
The Better Bus Stops program funds amenities at bus stops improving the rider experience. Launched in 2020, the program improves bus stops is funded by 2016 Measure B. Transit riders may have noticed new amenities installed at high frequency stops and corridors.
Transit Rider Amenities
Shelters
Starting in 2018 VTA’s new shelter design rolled out along Santa Clara Street, Alum Rock Avenue, Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Carlos Boulevard, Story Road and Keyes Street. More will be installed in 2022 through the Better Bus Stops program county-wide.
Lighting
The shelter upgrades include improved LED lighting that provides brighter lighting for passengers even under street lights. All new shelters will have an LED light at the roof, an accent light on the front column and an advertisement light if there is an advertisement display.
Where there is lack of adequate lighting at night, new solar lights have been installed, with many installed along Monterey Highway in south county (Morgan Hill and Gilroy). There are push for light buttons to turn on the lights to signal the bus operator at night, improving rider safety and visibility at bus stops.
Seating
Improved seating design for transit riders has started installation with a new metal bench that will replace VTA’s wooden benches and a compact Simme-Seat bench to offer seating for transit riders in constrained spaces.
Sidewalk, Wheelchair Boarding, Bus Pads
The planned sidewalk upgrades will improve the streetscape, providing wider sidewalks for ADA boarding, replacing any older cracked sidewalks, tripping hazards and adding concrete bus pads where asphalt has been impacted by frequent stopping.
ADA Enhancements
Finding ways to improve accessibility at bus stops is a goal for the Better Bus Stops program. During a system-wide survey of all bus stops approximately 20% of bus stops had braille. Now an effort to install braille placards at all stops has begun and will be completed soon.
BIKE RACKS
New blue VTA bike racks have been installed at bus stops for bike to bus connections.
2020-2021 Cycle
Bus stops selected for each cycle of the Better Bus Stops program depend on ridership (as guided by VTA’s Transit Passenger Environment Plan) and bus stop improvements identified in community engagement efforts. Many of the stops improved this cycle are a result of VTA’s Fast Transit Bus Stop Balancing program, Morgan Hill Community-Based Transportation Plan, and past community-based transportation plans.
- 2 custom shelters at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC)
- 5 Simme Seats
- 50 metal benches
- 30 solar lights
- 1,276 braille placards
Shelter installation was funded by 2016 Measure B and MTC’s Lifeline Program for the new SCVMC Shuttle that started service June 14, 2021. The service is a partnership with Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and Santa Clara County.
2022 Cycle
Bus Stops improved in 2022 were a result of a continuing effort to install new amenities and replace older amenities.
- 7 new shelters (funded by Stanford Research Park)
- 12 solar lights (includes solar pole lights and solar shelter lighting)
- 157 new benches
- 23 sidewalk and wheelchair boarding area improvements
- 5 new concrete bus pads
- 1,740 braille placards installed
- 17 new trash cans (7 were funded by Stanford Research Park)
2023 Cycle
Construction is currently underway for:
- 33 shelters with lighting
- 100 benches
- 17 sidewalk improvements
- 20 wheelchair boarding areas
- 80 braille placards
- 23 bike racks
- 89 trash cans
Tell us about your bus stop!
Throughout the year, we have will have two surveys available to provide input on amenities at bus stops. Bi-annually, the program will collect the input from riders about which amenities are most desired and where special amenity needs may exist.
- Please take our Rider Survey! This is an opportunity for our transit riders to tell us what amenities are more valuable. This Rider Survey will be open throughout the year and data will be collected bi-annually to determine our next cycle of improvements
- How could we improve your bus stop? Find out about proposed improvements and Rate Your Stop to give us feedback on stops you use regularly.