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

America’s Sorriest Bus Stop: Pittsburgh vs. Englewood

The Final Four of sorry bus stops is starting to come together.

The first city to secure a spot is Seattle. You can still vote in Friday's Tampa vs. Chapel Hill match to decide who gets the second spot.

The third spot is up for grabs today. It's either a perilously balanced Pittsburgh bus stop or a scary stop by the side of a highway in Englewood, New Jersey, across the Hudson from NYC.

Vote below.

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh bus stop

This entry in the Steel City beat a bus stop in Medford, Massachusetts, in the first round. Submitter Noah Kahrs writes:

You'd think that a bus stop this close to Downtown Pittsburgh and just half a mile from a light rail station and major bike path would be reasonably accessible, but Pittsburgh's confusing road system gets in the way. This bus stop is alongside a four-lane highway that essentially serves as a full-speed connector between two major interstates, and has no sidewalks along the road. Instead, you can access the bus stop by a footbridge across the highway from Duquesne University, or via a lengthy rickety staircase from the bottom of a sheer 100-foot cliff.

Let the record show that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette went out and interviewed someone who waits at this stop, and he said it was actually pretty convenient.

Agencies responsible: Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Public Works

Englewood, NJ 

englewood_bus_stop

This stop on Route 4 in Englewood beat New Haven in the first round. It was nominated by Michael Klatsky, who says bus riders are forced to "climb over a guardrail or walk in highway traffic."

Klatsky also shares this photo showing how transit riders have worn a path in the grass behind the guardrail:

englewood desire line

That matches up with what one of our commenters pointed out: Even though the area isn't pedestrian-friendly at all, this bus stop still gets plenty of use. It is served by NJ Transit and private jitney operators, on a route that runs from Paterson to the GW Bridge Terminal with high frequencies throughout the day. Route 4 in New Jersey is covered with bus stops like this, but despite the high transit usage, walkable connections from surrounding neighborhoods are in short supply.

Agencies responsible: New Jersey DOT, NJ Transit.

bus_stop_2017
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday’s Headlines: ‘Nasty’ Getting Nastier Edition

The war on e-bikes took a "nasty" turn on the Upper West Side on Thursday. Plus more news.

October 18, 2024

Brooklyn College Students Pressure Adams to Fix Flatbush Ave. Buses After Years of Delays

Brooklyn College students and transit advocates walked four miles up Flatbush Avenue on Thursday to call attention to Mayor Adams's refusal to improve bus service there.

October 18, 2024

‘Surrender’: Adams Cuts Bus, Bike Lanes From Fifth Ave. Plan

Fifth Avenue will get more sidewalk, but bus riders and cyclists have to make way for the almighty car.

October 17, 2024

Hoboken Pol: E-Bike Registration Not Working

“This ‘take a test wear a vest’ idea is proving to be not super effective at the moment,” said the Council member.

October 17, 2024

Adams Must Avoid Berlin Wall of Sidewalk Garbage Cans: Experts

The Adams administration's refusal to put containers in the street could clog sidewalks and thwart a promising policy initiative, according to a new report.

October 17, 2024
See all posts