Best practices for assisting transfers checklist

This is an agency self-audit checklist, designed to be used at a station or stop served by more than one fixed route transit service. For agencies interested in evaluating opportunities for assisting passengers who transfer across services, this checklist may help identify areas for improvement. The checklist attempts to help identify concrete actions that a transit provider can take to support more convenient, less stressful bus transfers.

Schedule information

☐Printed schedules and maps include information about neighboring agencies ☐Real-time transit information system mobile app ☐Schedule information appears in trip planning applications (Google Maps, Bing Maps, other transit apps) ☐Availability of printed maps on buses ☐Availability of printed maps in transit centers ☐Schedule information is available in multiple accessible formats (audio, multilingual, written, braile, large font) ☐Schedule information is available online ☐Schedule information is available at bus stops serving multiple routes ☐Fare information regarding fare categories (e.g. youth rate, senior rate) is clearly displayed on printed schedules ☐Fare information regarding different fare rates (e.g. rate for intercity service, around town service, all-day fare, regular fare) is clearly displayed on printed schedules

Bus stop amenities

☐Bus stops are ADA compliant and designed to promote access ☐Landscaping around bus stops enhances the aesthetic quality of bus stop ☐Landscaping around bus stops provides a buffer zone between pedestrians and traffic ☐Bus stop signs are consistent in color, layout, shape, and size ☐Bus stops have adequate lighting to ensure visibility ☐Bus stops serving multiple routes have bus shelters

Fares

☐Reduced fares are available for people transferring buses within system ☐Transferring buses within system is free within three hours of first fare purchase ☐Transferring buses within system is free for the full day ☐Reduced or free fares are available for people transferring from another transit system ☐Reduced or free fares are available for people transferring to another transit system ☐Fare categories (youth, elderly, etc.) are the same as neighboring agencies’ fare categories

☐Monthly passes are available ☐eFare is available

Service and schedule features

☐30-minute or less headway for bus routes connecting to other routes ☐30-minute or less headway for intercity bus routes ☐Bus schedules are coordinated so that buses arrive at a transfer point 5-15 minutes before transfer buses depart ☐Bus stops serving multiple agencies are located within less than ¼ mile of each other so that passengers can more easily transfer from one transit system to another ☐Buses arrive on time consistently ☐Buses do not leave early from bus stop locations

Passenger assistance ☐Travel training programs are available to limited audiences (for example: only elderly and disabled populations) ☐Travel training programs are available to all passengers ☐Travel training programs are publicized in transit centers, schools, non-profits serving elderly or disabled populations, centers for independent living, senior centers, etc. ☐Assistants are available at major transit hubs to guide passengers to the proper bus ☐Customer service representatives are available to assist passengers at major transit hubs

Pedestrian and bicyclist access

☐Sidewalks within ¼ mile of bus stops are in good repair ☐Sidewalks within ¼ mile of bus stops have proper curb cutouts and are ADA compliant ☐Pedestrian crossings near bus stops are well-marked ☐Pedestrian crossings near bus stops have adequate lighting to make pedestrians visible to cars ☐There are bicycle racks or bicycle lockers available within ¼ mile of bus stops ☐Bicycle racks on buses can hold up to 2 bicycles at a time ☐Bus stops are placed within ¼ mile of bicycle lanes ☐Transit-heavy street areas (such as a bus station or other major bus hub) are only accessible by buses and pedestrians, and are blocked off to single-occupancy vehicle traffic

Passenger policies

☐Passenger policies are clearly displayed in bus shelters, transit centers, and on buses, especially policies that may result in a denial of service (no pets on board, no bikes on board, no food on board, etc.) ☐Passenger policies are consistent across neighboring agencies

☐Bus drivers receive conflict mitigation training ☐Bus drivers receive rule enforcement training to more consistently enforce passenger policies

Safety

☐Security staff is within sight of the bus stop ☐Bus stops have adequate lighting to ensure visibility at night ☐Passengers are sheltered from street traffic (through landscaping, a buffer zone, or distance) ☐Construction zones within ¼ mile of the bus stop are clearly marked with cones, signs, and tape, and have safe passageways for pedestrians ☐Absence of physical sidewalk hazards such as cracks, obstacles, or slopes of over 5%