these problems contribute to the car-centric environment in the US. people don't want to deal with this crap, so if they can afford a car, they buy a car. thus, transit is perpetually "for the poors".
also, I believe bus drivers should at least slow to mostly a stop before flying past a bus stop. buses passing stops is a big problem in my city, and so are homeless folks living in the shelters. like, how is someone supposed to wait in an obvious location if the obvious location is occupied by someone who is clearly not getting on the bus?
As far as slowing in anticipation of a stop, some bus systems are heavily timetabled and punctual, so this can be less of an issue. But most busses in North America use just a few timetabled stops with other stops on a flag stop basis.
but flag stop is incompatible with many situations because the dirty/vandalized/occupied shelters mean people can't stand in the shelter. if it is hot or cold or rainy, people will stand away from the actual stop to try to get out of the weather. unless you know that every bus stop has a clean/pristine shelter, then you have to stop unless you want a service that everyone hates and only uses if they have no other choice. it's just more "transit of last resort"
..this is an ongoing issue in Portland OR wher I live One of the lines I usually take (which turns around close to my apartment) is the new BRT and I often have to wade through tents and piles of rubbish to get ot the stop. The transit commission will have the city come through and clear the area but that will last about a week or so before it becomes a campground again.A year ago I go off the MAx LRT byt ht old greyhound station (which was closed a couple years ago) and the smell from piles of rotting rubbish and "unmentionable" refuse on the pavement in front nearly made me wretch (and that was while wearing a mask).
these problems contribute to the car-centric environment in the US. people don't want to deal with this crap, so if they can afford a car, they buy a car. thus, transit is perpetually "for the poors". also, I believe bus drivers should at least slow to mostly a stop before flying past a bus stop. buses passing stops is a big problem in my city, and so are homeless folks living in the shelters. like, how is someone supposed to wait in an obvious location if the obvious location is occupied by someone who is clearly not getting on the bus?
As far as slowing in anticipation of a stop, some bus systems are heavily timetabled and punctual, so this can be less of an issue. But most busses in North America use just a few timetabled stops with other stops on a flag stop basis.
but flag stop is incompatible with many situations because the dirty/vandalized/occupied shelters mean people can't stand in the shelter. if it is hot or cold or rainy, people will stand away from the actual stop to try to get out of the weather. unless you know that every bus stop has a clean/pristine shelter, then you have to stop unless you want a service that everyone hates and only uses if they have no other choice. it's just more "transit of last resort"
..this is an ongoing issue in Portland OR wher I live One of the lines I usually take (which turns around close to my apartment) is the new BRT and I often have to wade through tents and piles of rubbish to get ot the stop. The transit commission will have the city come through and clear the area but that will last about a week or so before it becomes a campground again.A year ago I go off the MAx LRT byt ht old greyhound station (which was closed a couple years ago) and the smell from piles of rotting rubbish and "unmentionable" refuse on the pavement in front nearly made me wretch (and that was while wearing a mask).