Transit Design Guidelines
The Transit Design Guidelines document provides design criteria guidelines for use by planners, designers, traffic engineers, and property developers when designing and placing Omnitrans bus stops and transit facilities. The document includes guidance for bus stop placement, bus stop types, minimum requirements, and preferred amenities at bus stops. The guidelines supplement, but do not override, local jurisdictions’ engineering standards and requirements for roadway and bus stop design.
For more information about infrastructure recommendations, bus stop placement, and minimum dimensions for the various types of bus stops, please see the Transit Design Guidelines document or additional resources and links listed below.
PDFs and Documents
Bus Stop Types
The minimum requirements for a bus stop include ADA compliance, a bus stop sign, and lighting. Other amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, and shelters are strongly encouraged, given that space requirements are met. Below is a list of amenities grouped under the different kinds of bus stops. The diagram below also shows the preferred boarding area (25’ – 30’ x 10’) which can accommodate a shelter as well as the required ADA landing area for a bus ramp.
| Feature | Minimum | Basic | Preferred | Premium | Custom/sbX | Transit Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADA Compliance | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Bus pole & Signage | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Trip System Info | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Lighting | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Bench* or Lean Bar | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Trash Receptacle* | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Shelter | X | X | X | X | ||
| Standard Shelter | X | |||||
| Premium Shelter | X | |||||
| Bike parking | X | X | ||||
| Landscaping | X | X | ||||
| Local Art | X | X | ||||
| Variable Message Sign (with real-time bus arrival) | X | X | X | |||
| CCTV & public announcement Security System | X | X | ||||
| Level-boarding platform with guardrails (BRT station) | X | X | ||||
| Restrooms for staff/public | X | |||||
| Charging for electric buses on layover | X |
*Private / City Amenities: Benches, trash receptacles, and shelters can be owned and maintained by Omnitrans, by the city, or by a private party. Check with the local jurisdiction for local requirements as some cities prefer to have amenities unique to their community versus the standard Omnitrans ones.
Shelter Options
Omnitrans installs, owns, and maintains several types of standard shelter and bench models within the JPA member jurisdictions that participate in Omnitrans’ Passenger Amenity Program.
Standard Shelter (17’ or 13’) – includes shelter, solar lighting, map case, bench, and 32-gallon trash can. Shelter can include an ad panel or no ad panel.
Premium Shelter (17’) – includes shelter, solar lighting, map case, bench, 32-gallon metal trash can, and electronic real-time arrival message board. Shelter can include an ad panel or no ad panel. The premium shelter also allows for custom artwork on the back screen.
Any of these amenities can be powder coated in the standard colors of blue, green, or silver.
Figure: (from left to right): 13’ non-ad shelter, 17’ ad shelter, and premium shelter.
| Amenity | Space Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lean Bar and Trash Receptacle | 15’ x 8’ minimum boarding area |
| 6’ Metal Bench & Trash Receptacle | 15’ x 8’ minimum boarding area |
| 13’ Non-Advertising Shelter | 20’ x 8’ minimum boarding area |
| 17’ Non-Advertising Shelter | 25’ x 8’ minimum boarding area |
| 13’ Advertising Shelter | 20’ x 10’ minimum boarding area |
| 17’ Advertising Shelter | 25’ x 10’ minimum boarding area |
| Premium Shelter | 25’ x 10’ minimum boarding area |
*Boarding area width is measured from the back of the curb, excluding curb thickness.
Contact Us
CHANGES TO BUS STOP: Requests to place a new bus stop or express concerns regarding existing stops can be sent to: BusStops@Omnitrans.org
CONSTRUCTION: Construction coordination information should be directed to: Detours@Omnitrans.org
See also the Construction Impacts PDF for a summary of informing Omnitrans of construction impacts on bus service.
LOCAL JURISDICTION / DEVELOPER PLANS: Contact Omnitrans for review and response to proposed general plans, specific plans, roadway projects, or development plans. Meeting invitations, notices, scoping letters, and copies of plans should be sent to: Planning@Omnitrans.org
See the Community Planning and Project Development document for further steps and information on coordinating between Omnitrans and local jurisdictions.
ADOPT-A-STOP – To adopt a bus stop, visit Omnitrans.org/news/adopt-a-stop/ or contact the Adopt-A-Stop coordinator at AdoptAStop@omnitrans.org.