Analysis: Just 5 Percent of Detroit Bus Stops Have Shelters

The city’s thousands of bus stops are sorely lacking in seating and shelters to protect riders from rain, snow, and sun.

2 minute read

March 12, 2025, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Green Detroit public transit electric bus with high-rise modenr building in background.

Detroit Department of Transportation / Detroit Department of Transportation

An analysis of city data reveals that just 5 percent of bus stops in Detroit have shelters, and only 1.5 percent have benches, reports Malachi Barrett for Bridge Detroit.

The data reveals a stunning lack of infrastructure in a city with frigid winters, which coincide with a drop in bus usage. “DDOT data shows 400,000 fewer riders in December 2024 compared to October,” Barrett notes. According to Ted Tansley, who compiled the data, “It’s a clear reflection of the lack of institutional funding.”

DDOT acknowledged that a low percentage of its bus stops have seating or shelters. However, in a statement to BridgeDetroit, the department argued focusing it’s misleading to focus on the raw percentage of stops without a shelter because 26% of bus boardings happen at a sheltered stop. In other words, the stops with higher ridership are more likely to have shelters or seating.

Transit advocates are calling on city leaders to boost funding for the Department of Transportation, which served over 250,000 bus riders each week. The department says it plans to add 250 shelters by 2027 along high-traffic routes and near areas with high concentrations of seniors.

As part of its DDOT Reimagined plan, it has set a goal to have 75 percent of riders boarding from a sheltered bus stop and improve the transit experience in other ways, but the agency needs more funding to achieve its vision. “Additional investment could add more frequency to routes, upgrade stops with shelters and benches, raise wages for employees and ultimately improve service for residents who can’t afford or to drive or don’t wish to.”

Thursday, March 6, 2025 in Bridge Detroit

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA