Government > Housing and Community Development > Planning and Community Development Division > Bus Stop Improvements

Bus Stop Improvements

About Bus Stop Improvements

The City of Takoma Park initiated a comprehensive effort to update, inventory, and improve all bus stops in the City in order to encourage bus ridership and use of public transportation. Bus stop amenities make public transit more appealing and can, in turn, increase ridership. The aim is to make bus stops in Takoma Park accessible, safe, comfortable, and informative.

Current Project Status

Using 2023 ridership data, the Planning Division updated the City’s interactive bus ridership map. The new analysis indicated some shifting patterns of ridership, including the identification of a handful of new high-ridership stops where additional rider amenities like a bus shelter are most needed.

A map of the City with its bus shelters overlaid, varying in size based on ridership. — Bus Stop Ridership Map (2023)

Projects like the Takoma Park Maryland Library redevelopment and the Purple Line construction on University Blvd have shifted where riders are picking up the bus in a number of locations.

City staff will continue to identify where to prioritize new bus stop shelters and seating based on this and other bus network data.

Boy in snorkel gear sits at newly installed bus stop with tropical fish decals. — New bus shelter at Maple Ave & Hilltop Rd received a tropical treatment

Project Background

In May 2019, the City was awarded a MWCOG Technical Assistance Grant for a bus stop accessibility inventory. The selected consultants, KFH Group, inventoried all bus stops in the City with a focus on ADA compliance, accessibility, and bike and pedestrian improvements to facilitate region-wide multi-modal transportation and connectivity. The project concluded with a set of priorities and actionable recommendations for both stand alone and capital improvements.

Staff then inventoried all bus stops within the City for ridership numbers and presence of amenities. An interactive map (2023) is available which displays all bus stops, ridership numbers, and the presence of amenities.

In January 2020, the City Council passed Resolution 2020-2 in support of improved bus stop features across the City. The effort prioritized the installation of bus shelters at stops which met selected (high) ridership, racial equity, climate impact, cost, and safety criteria.

New, glass-sided bus shelter at Maple Ave & Grant Ave. — New bus shelter at Maple Ave & Grant Ave

Project Lead and Contact Info

Planning Division
Housing and Community Development Department
Phone: 301-891-72119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov

Quicklinks

Bus Stop Improvements Details

Project Info & Timeline

Completion Date: Improvements are ongoing; MWCOG Grant concluded in June 2020
Takoma Park’s Role in Project: Lead
Departments Involved: Housing & Community Development, Public Works

Budget and Funding Source

$50,000 for technical assistance from MWCOG to fund the bus stop accessibility inventory.
$60,000 for acquisition of five bus shelters from City General Fund.
Some bus shelter installations will be funded through the City’s on-going contract with In-Site Media. Other improvements will be funded by the City or additional grant funding when applicable.

Links & Notes

Project Timeline

Ongoing Bus Shelter Installation and Implementation of Recommendations

Summer 2022
Installation of public art in five bus shelters
Summer/Fall 2021
Installation of five new bus shelters on Flower Avenue, Maple Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue
Spring/Summer 2021
ADA compliance improvement in select locations
July 30, 2020
Installation of bus shelter at Ethan Allen and New Hampshire Avenues
May 20, 2020
KFH Group Council Presentation and Final Report
Fall 2019
Staff Inventory and Mapping of Bus Stops
October 2019
KFH Group Selected as Consultant
May 2019
MWCOG Technical Assistance Grant Awarded for Bus Stop Accessibility Inventory