Nowhere in America is immune to the problem of shoddy, dangerous bus stops. You think the northeast, with its older urban development patterns, is full of safe, comfortable places to wait for the bus? Think again.
Two terrible bus stops in New Jersey and Connecticut face off today for the chance to be named the sorriest bus stop in America.
The winner will join Pittsburgh, Chapel Hill, San Diego, Munhall, Pennsylvania, and the winner of yesterday's Tampa vs. Prince George's County match (the poll is still open) in the second round of competition.
Vote for the worst below. (A note to readers: Streetsblog USA will be offline until after Labor Day. The parade of sorry bus stops will pick up again on Tuesday.)
New Haven
This stop is served CTTransit's F route between New Haven and Derby, on Route 34. The post with a little blue sign is the only indication that this is a bus stop. Reader Sandy Johnston nominated this one. He writes:
I had trouble picking which stop to submit on this stretch; they're all pretty awful. But this one, which appears to primarily serve a dam and has nothing protecting riders from high-speed traffic, seems particularly bad. Icing on the cake is the sign that doesn't even tell you which route stops there.
Agencies responsible: Connecticut DOT, CTTransit.
Englewood
Can you spot the bus stop on this New Jersey state highway?
Reader Michael Klatsky tells us that in order to use this stop, which serves an area of mixed retail, manufacturing, and housing, you either have to climb over a guard rail or walk unprotected next to highway traffic. He took the time to give it a one-star review on Google Maps.
Agencies responsible: New Jersey DOT, NJ Transit.