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

Streetsies 2024: Vote For This Year’s Biggest Failures

Overall, it was a pretty sad year. But what was the city and state's worst failures? You get to vote!

December 26, 2024

Streetsies 2024: Vote for this Year’s Best Livable Streets Projects

This year had some bright spots for livable streets projects. Here are the ones that stood out.

December 26, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Christmukkah Edition

We took yesterday off to celebrate the many holidays and to see the new Bob Dylan movie. But there was lots of news.

December 26, 2024

On Christmas, Let’s Consider the Successes of the Livable Streets Movement

Here's a short, heartwarming film about the successes experienced this year by the livable streets movement.

December 25, 2024

And the Winners Are…: It’s Time for the 2024 Streetsie Awards!

Let's start our annual year in review series with a broad roundup of the heroes, scoundrels and debacles of 2024.

December 24, 2024
See all posts