Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Sorriest Bus Stops 2017

America’s Sorriest Bus Stop: San Diego vs. Seattle

5:33 PM EDT on September 7, 2017

We're moving on to the round of eight in our Sorriest Bus Stop in America bracket.

The cities in our Shameful Eight are TampaPittsburghChapel HillSeattleSan DiegoEnglewood (NJ), and Munhall, Pennsylvania. And there's still one more day to vote either St. Louis or Omaha into the final slot.

Today, two West Coast contenders pair up in the first match of the second round.

San Diego

San Deigo bus stop 2

After this stop, in San Diego's Mission Valley, faced off against Commerce, California, in the first round, the local ABC affiliate went out to investigate. San Diego's Metropolitan Transit System said it discontinued the route in April. But one woman told reporters she still uses the stop to board the bus. Only this week did the transit agency go out and remove the sign:

It's not clear exactly how service was adjusted (did the whole route change or just this stop?), but merely eliminating a stop doesn't really address the underlying issue of dangerous, unwalkable streets and uncomfortable waiting conditions -- which isn't the fault of the transit agency so much as the local transportation department.

I spoke to San Diego reporter Michael Turko about this stop, and he said there's not another good option nearby. People like the Korean immigrant interviewed by Channel 10 will now have to walk more than a mile to catch the bus, according to Turko.

Responsible agencies: San Diego MTS, San Diego Streets Division.

Seattle 

Seattle bus stop

This tiny sliver of dirt between a Seattle highway and an active railroad track beat a bus stop Fremont, California, in the first round -- by a lot. One reader informed us that at least the trains pass by slowly at this particular location, an industrial area south of the city.

Seattle overhead

This overhead view shows South Seattle College on one side of the street and the industrial zone on the other.

Responsible agencies: King County Metro, Washington DOT

Vote to decide which is worthy of the Final Four.

bus_stop_2017

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday’s Headlines: Yes He Said Yes He Will Yes Edition

That headline above is a reference to the last line of James Joyce's Ulysses, which we won't pretend to have read. But we have that ... and other news.

September 22, 2023

Madness: Port Authority Will Spend $8M to ‘Study’ Widening Outerbridge Crossing

Will this $8.3 million find out anything we don't know about induced demand?

September 22, 2023

Study: How Low-Income People Really Use Micromobility

Shared bikes and scooters are meeting low-income people's basic mobility needs — but they're not being subsidized like it.

September 22, 2023

School Bus Driver Hits Cyclist, Injures 3, On Major Brooklyn School Bike Route

The crash happened on the route of the weekly Bergen bike bus.

September 21, 2023

City of Yes Yes Yes! Adams Calls for Elimination of Parking Mandates on ALL New Housing

Mayor Adams today announced the historic end to one of the city’s most antiquated — and despised — zoning laws requiring the construction of parking with every new development.

September 21, 2023
See all posts