Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Sorriest Bus Stops 2018

The “Sorry Bus Stops” Final Round 1 Battle: Suffolk County vs. New York City

If you can have a sorry bus stop there, you can have a sorry bus stop anywhere.

Yes, it's up to you, New York, N.Y. as we pit two really lousy Big Apple bus stops to round out the Elite Eight in our annual America's Sorriest Bus Stop competition.

Nashville; Cincinnati; Beverly Hills; Pittsburgh; McKees Rocks, Pennsylvaniaand New Orleans have already moved on to the second round. Meanwhile, voting is still open for yesterday's matchup, which pitted San Rafael, California, against Vancouver.

Today's contenders are extra awful because they come from the nation's most transit friendly metro area. But they still fall into the traps we see elsewhere: complete disregard for riders' safety and comfort. Let's take a look:

suffolk county bus stop
false

Brentwood, N.Y.

This sorry bus stop, sent by an anonymous reader, shows Crooked Hill Road in suburban Brentwood, N.Y.

The reader explains:

Absolutely no thought given to pedestrians with this stop. No sidewalks towards either direction, sitting feet away from a busy, higher speed thoroughfare, with no safe method to cross the road. Most that use this stop would need to cross, as employment centers are mostly found opposite this stop. Additionally, possibly the worst part of this stop, if you turn around the street view, you will see a business next to it with heavy duty trucks in use. They have chosen to go instead of turning right directly outside the driveway, using the area of the bus stop as a merge to the road instead, creating another hazard for the riders of this already dangerous stop.

This stop is served by Suffolk County Transit. And Suffolk County Public Works is responsible for the road. And both richly deserve the shame of inclusion in this competition.

The Bronx

bronx bus stop

Meanwhile, this stop on Sedgwick Avenue in the heart of the Bronx, comes to us from reader Nolan Levinson — and (not to prejudice you voters) it was selected by our editors from many, many New York City sorry bus stops. If Gotham is going to win this year's competition, this is the sorry bus stop on which that crown will rest.

Look closely: Yes, bus riders are literally waiting in some guy's driveway for the bus.

Levinson adds his exasperation:

The bus pole is right in the middle of a driveway. There's nowhere to wait.

As you can see in the photo, the stop serves three MTA bus routes, so it's no outpost in the wilderness. This is a stop with high service frequency. But the surrounding environment leaves a lot to be desired.

Both the city DOT and the state-run MTA share the blame for bus stops like this that clearly have not been given a second thought.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Pedestrian on Bedford Av. Hours Before Long-Stalled Safety Redesign Begins

The driver was traveling so quickly that the victim was tossed high in the air before landing back on the car hood and being tossed to the side of the road as the killer drove off.

October 11, 2024

Manhattanites To DOT: Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path ‘Without Delay’

"It’s really inappropriate for the DOT to delay," said one member of Manhattan Community Board 6.

October 11, 2024

Council Seeks to Force DOT to Build 175 E-Bike Charging Hubs 

A new bill would force the DOT to build over 100 charging hubs, but will it be enough to keep up with demand?

October 11, 2024

Friday Video: A Vision for West 72nd Street

Maybe someday, a roadway that devotes 88 percent of its space to a tiny minority of users (drivers) could finally work for everyone. We can dream, can't we?

October 11, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: Yes, We Will Mention the Yankees Edition

We are praying for the first Subway Series since 2000. Plus other news.

October 11, 2024
See all posts