Valley Metro

valley-metro

Phoenix’s Valley Metro is focusing resources on improving bus stops via multiple initiatives. The agency’s bus stop database is an excellent resource that is an industry best practice.

  • Accessibility: All Valley Metro buses and bus stops meet ADA requirements. Valley Metro is going beyond ADA requirements to make bus stops more comfortable for all passengers, including older adults and people with mobility limitations. Improvements include shelters, seating, concrete pads that make it easier to use the bus lift/ramp and real-time arrival time information via computer and smartphones.
  • Prioritization: In 2004, Valley Metro’s Regional Transportation Program and Proposition designated $26.4 million for bus stop improvements. Recognizing that not all bus stops could receive the full scope of improvements, the Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) created a prioritization process in the 2008 Bus Stop Program and Standards report. Bus stop funding requests would be fulfilled based on the type of request starting with new regional stops serving regionally funded routes. The plan also outlines five levels of bus stop investment from a stop with only a sign to an enhanced shelter with information displays, lighting, bike racks and more.
  • Design: In 2007, Valley Metro created Bus Stop Design Guidelines that feature best practices, considerations and a Minimum Requirements Checklist. In Valley Metro’s five-year strategic plan for FY 2016-2020, improving shade at bus stops was mentioned as a strategy for improving customer satisfaction.
  • Bus Stop Data: Valley Metro has an interactive bus stop database map illustrating all bus stop locations and information about bus stop amenities. It was created in 2016 and was most recently updated in June 2022.
View Website

This tool is best used on desktops and laptops.

Step 2: Add your amenities to your bus stop

  • Click the “Amenity Library” button to open the Library:
    • Scroll through the Amenity Library on the right to drag and drop your chosen amenities or use the “Add” button.
    • You can add, move, rotate, scale, and delete any amenity. You can also add as many as you like.
    • NOTE: All amenities may not be appropriate for all sidewalk widths. Consider amenities like the Lean Bar for narrower sidewalks, whereas amenities such as Shelters are more appropriate for wider sidewalks.


Step 3: Save your design

  • Choose the “Finalize & Save” button, then fill out the brief Contact Form.
    • You’ll then be taken to a unique link to your design; keep it on file for viewing later at any time.

Using the Builder to design your bus stop

This tool is best used on desktops and laptops, and when the background image you choose below is viewed straight on

Step 1: Find your background image

  • via the map below on the left, you can go to the bus stop you wish to design, then drag the gold Google “Pegman” (in the map below, lower right corner) to where your bus stop is on the map, or
  • via the “Upload Background” button, you can upload an image of the bus stop from your local device (it works best if your image is square), then you’ll be taken to Step 2 right away, or
  • you can type in an address or street corner and city via the search field, then click the “Search” button and then drag the gold Google “Pegman” (in the map below, lower right corner) to the red location Pin.


NOTES: It’s possible Google hasn’t created a Street View for some bus stops. If this is the case for the bus stop you want to add amenities to, you may want to consider taking a smartphone photo of that bus stop and uploading it here via the “Upload Background” button (crop your image square). Per Google Street Map View compliance rules, it is not possible to edit the lighting or shading of a Google Street View background, so choose thoughtfully or upload your own image.

Once you have your chosen bus stop background on the right, select the “Design Bus Stop” button to go to the next screen to then add amenities.