The United States needs fewer bus stops - Works in Progress Magazine
Hacker News
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article highlights that reducing the number of bus stops can significantly improve transit efficiency in American cities, making buses faster, more reliable, and appealing to a wider audience. Unlike European cities, which typically space bus stops farther apart—around 300-450 meters on average—the U.S. often has stops as close as 210-240 meters apart, leading to slower speeds and less efficient service. By increasing stop spacing to around 1,300 feet (about 396 meters), similar to European practices, buses can reduce dwell time, accelerate faster between stops, and improve overall speed.
The article explains that frequent stopping slows buses due to factors like acceleration, deceleration, and boarding challenges. For instance, buses in New York City and San Francisco average only eight miles per hour, making them less competitive with cars or trains. By optimizing stop spacing, transit agencies can deliver faster service without costly infrastructure changes, simply by removing signs and updating schedules.
This approach not only enhances speed but also improves reliability and operational efficiency, allowing the same
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/25/2026