Proposed bus stop improvements to enhance transit experience

There’s welcome news for passengers who ride both the Off-Campus College Transport (OCCT) blue buses and Broome County (BC) Transit buses. Plans to improve select bus stops in the area are in the works, including the addition of shelters to some locations currently lacking them.

Many students rely on public transportation or other means to commute and get from place to place. The University and the city of Binghamton are actively working together to improve the available options for students.

The latest need calls for improvements to high-traffic bus stops in the area.

“At the bus stops downtown, it gets really crowded,” said Amy Biggs, a senior. “It would be nice, especially when it’s raining, if there was something to stand under.”

“Both the University and the city have a shared interest in providing excellent public transportation for the community and students,” said Tanya Husick, executive director of Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). “Within the local service area, there are very few bus shelters, and there is an ongoing need to provide safer and better transit stops.”

Another senior, Audrey Brazinski, had a particular bus route in mind whose stops could benefit from the installation of shelters.

“There are two really big spots — or at least the DCL (Downtown Center Leroy) — that are awful,” said Brazinski. “They’re so cold. Everyone’s always there, too, and it’s full. It would be nice to have something to stand under while waiting.”

The Transportation and Parking subcommittee of the Town Gown Advisory Board (TGAB) brought this concern to the TGAB executive committee, submitting a proposal for a bus stop improvement program. The TGAB approved the project, and has moved forward with partial funding.

“The grant includes funding for the shelters as well as the site work necessary to support the shelter and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Husick. “Site improvements will also include concrete pads for the shelters, seating, shelter lighting and, when possible, the installation of bike racks adjacent to the bus stops.”

Up to four shared OCCT and BC Transit bus stops will receive improvements. “TAPS will meet with Broome County Transit and OCCT to develop a list of where both services see the highest shared demand and where a shelter can fit into the Binghamton streetscape,” said Husick. “Once the broader list is developed, it will be sent to the TGAB Transportation and Parking subcommittee so that it can weigh in and final sites can be selected.”

Senior Matthew Smith also wishes more stops had shelters, especially during the winter months. When asked if any of the other proposed improvements would be beneficial to him, he said, “More seating.”

“Bus shelters are basic transit amenities and are often missing from bus stops across the region,” said Husick. “Improvements for users are critical in order to provide protection from the elements and to retain and attract new riders to the systems.”

Improvements are projected to be complete by the end of summer 2020.