Co-funded by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and NITC, this research demonstrates that bus stop improvements make it possible for patrons with mobility-related disabilities to use regular bus service instead of paratransit service, and that they were actually doing so. By facilitating access to the entire transit system network, instead of having to rely on costly single point ADA paratransit, the stop improvements were shown to vastly increase these patrons' access to opportunities and destinations. The researchers found a 5.9% increase in boardings after improvements were made to a series of bus stops in Salt Lake City, Utah - compared to only a 1.7% overall increase in boarding at stops in a control group that were not improved. The bus stop improvements – which include adding shelters and seating as well as stronger compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – also correlated with a decrease in ADA paratransit demand in the area. This informed bus stop planning in Salt Lake City (UTA), Denver (RTD), and beyond.

"This project was insightful as we planned the inventory of bus stop amenities for Waukesha Metro Transit and Waukesha County Transit in Wisconsin. In addition, the project assisted our staff articulate potential benefits related to bus stop improvements."
-Planner, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC)

Learn more about the project The Connection between Investments in Bus Stops, Ridership, and ADA Accessibility, led by Keith Bartholomew of University of Utah.