Many U.S. transit agencies have policies allowing riders to request dropoffs between stops, but fail to publicize them to passengers and operators.

If you’ve ever wished you could ask your bus driver to let you off between stops, it turns out you probably can. According to an article in Next City by H. Jiahong Pan, many U.S. transit agencies have a “request stops” policy that allows riders to ask to disembark between designated stops “within reason.” Request stops can make travel safer and more accessible by letting people exit the bus closer to their destination or in places with better lighting or pedestrian infrastructure.
However, few riders, or even drivers, know about the policies, even though some date back as far as the early 1970s. “Although studies have shown the policy helps female riders who feel uncomfortable walking long distances at night alone, transit agencies struggle to get the word out and develop clear, consistent policies.”
While agencies are working to clarify these policies for operators and riders, some also ban request stops on rapid transit lines, saying that adding stops would increase travel times. Agencies also have a variety of rules for where drivers can drop off passengers, such as only stopping at corners before an intersection or banning dropoffs next to highways.
FULL STORY: An Obscure Rule About Bus Stops Can Make Riding At Night Safer

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service