Government > Housing and Community Development > Planning and Community Development > 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

In May 2021, City Council approved the purchase of five new bus shelters at a cost of $60,000. The bus shelters will be placed in locations that prioritize bus ridership and ADA accessibility concerns. Installation of all shelters occurred during Fall of 2021 at the following locations:

Flower Ave & Houston Ave (2)*
New Hampshire Ave & Holton Ln
Maple Ave & Grant Ave*
Maple Ave & Hilltop Rd*

* A number of the glass sides to the shelters arrived in the wrong size; the panes are being replaced, but supply chain issues have delayed their arrival until early 2022.

Project Background

This effort supports the Council’s goals of sustainability, racial equity, and a livable community for all. Bus stops with the highest ridership will be prioritized and additional stops will then be evaluated for further improvements. In January 2020, the City Council passed a resolution in support of this work, prioritizing the installation of bus shelters at stops which met selected ridership, racial equity, climate impact, cost, and safety criteria.

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.

Takoma Park Bus Stop Analysis – Interactive Map

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

Project Lead and Contact Info

Rosalind Grigsby
Community Development Manager
Phone: 301-891-7205
Email: Rosalindg@takomaparkmd.gov

Bus shelter on New Hampshire and Sheridan

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/Fall 2021
Installation of up to five new bus shelters at locations identified by City staff based on need
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