Skip To Content

Bus Stop Improvement Project: STOPtimization

Stoptimize. Less stopping. Faster Service. METRO Direct

Purpose

Establish a framework for evaluating and determining the placement, consolidation, and enhancement of bus stops across the METRO fixed-route network. The framework is intended to ensure that decisions about bus stop locations are guided by clear standards, measurable performance data, and equitable outcomes for all riders. The overall goal is to support METRO’s mission to deliver reliable, safe, and efficient transit service that meets the mobility needs of the community while promoting accessibility and sustainability.

Objectives

  • Improve accessibility and safety to ensure that all riders including those with disabilities, seniors, and riders with mobility challenges, can safely and comfortably access transit service.
  • Support ridership growth by optimizing convenient and safe bus stop placements in the fixed route network in order to improve route travel time and reliability.
  • Improve service efficiency by evaluating bus stop spacing – specifically for stop spacing that is too close or too far

Why Bus Stop Spacing Matters – the balance between accessibility and speed.

  • Stop spacing is one of the most impactful design decisions in bus route planning
  • Closer stops increase access but slow travel times for all riders
  • Wider spacing improves speed and reliability while reducing operating costs
  • Optimal spacing balances walkability catchment areas with in-vehicle travel time
  • Every additional stop adds approximately 20–30 seconds to total trip time

Bus stop balancing allows transit authorities to stop less while still reaching the same amount of passengers. Stops 1/4 mile apart rather than 1/8th. 0.25 miles = 5 minute walk

Factors Included in Bus Stop Placement Analysis

Quantitative Metrics

  • Ridership at each stop level
  • Spacing of each bus stop location
  • Pedestrian accessibility (walk catchment area)
  • Proximity/distance to trip generators

Qualitative Considerations

  • Safety and ADA concerns
  • Land use environment (i.e. residential, retail, commercial, etc.)
  • Community context

Current Project Progress

All METRO Direct bus routes will undergo the "STOPtimization" process. Below you can find current project progress and upcoming stop removals/changes, organized by route.

Route #2: South Arlington

Bus Stops Removed: None.

Bus Stops Moved:

  1.       Outbound: S. Arlington St & 5th Ave: Stop #123
  2.       Outbound: S. Arlington St & E. Warner Rd: Stop #180
  3.       Outbound: S. Arlington St @ Home Depot: Stop #183

Route #8: Barberton-Norton/Wooster

Bus Stops Removed:

  1. Outbound: W Thornton St & Boulevard St: Stop #1367
  2. Outbound: Lakeshore Blvd & W Crosier St: Stop #1642
  3. Outbound: Lakeshore Blvd & Ira Ave: Stop #735
  4. Inbound: Lakeshore Blvd & Ira Ave: Stop #741
  5. Outbound: Wooster Rd & Hazelwood Ave: Stop #770
  6. Inbound: Wooster Rd & Hazelwood Ave: Stop #805
  7. Outbound: Wooster Rd & Hiram St: Stop #772
  8. Inbound: Wooster Rd & Hiram St: Stop #802
  9. Inbound:  Wooster Rd & Beech St: Stop #797
  10. Inbound: Wooster Rd & Brown St: Stop #793
  11. Outbound: Wooster Rd & 22nd St NW: Stop #1197
  12. Inbound: Wooster Rd & 22nd St NW: Stop #1213
  13. Inbound: Wooster Rd & 24th St: Stop #1211
  14. Outbound: Wooster Rd & Hudson Run Rd: Stop #1201
  15. Outbound: 5151 Wooster Rd: Stop #1260

Bus Stops Moved:

  1.       Inbound: Wooster Rd & 16th St SW: Stop #1215
  2.       Inbound: Wooster Rd & W Huston: Stop #792
  3.       Inbound: Wooster Rd & Burt St: Stop #800
  4.       Inbound: Wooster Rd & State St: Stop #801

Route #10: Howard/Portage Trail

Bus Stops Removed:

  1.       Outbound: N. Howard St & Vesper St: Stop #964 
  2.       Inbound: N. Howard St & Edward Ave: Stop #951
  3.       Outbound: N. Howard St & W. Lowell Ave: Stop #970
  4.       Outbound: State Rd & Grant Ave: Stop #933
  5.       Inbound: State Rd & Grant Ave: Stop #930
  6.       Outbound: State Rd & Falls Ave: Stop #936
  7.       Outbound: State Rd & Broad Blvd: Stop #937
  8.       Inbound: State Rd & Ohio Ave: Stop #925
  9.       Outbound: Portage Trl & N. Haven Blvd: Stop #983
  10.   Inbound: High St & School Ave: Stop #1012
  11.   Outbound: Tallmadge Rd & Viewpoint Ave: Stop #1000

Bus Stops Moved:

  1.       Outbound: State Rd & Ohio Ave: Stop #938
  2.       Outbound: N. Howard St & W. York St: Stop #963