AECOM and Arup to Shape New National Guidance for Safer, More Accessible Bus Stops

September 21, 2026

2 Min Read

Bus stops may seem like a small part of transport infrastructure, but getting their design right can have a direct impact on safety and accessibility.

AECOM, Arup and the Campaign for Better Transport have been appointed by the UK Department for Transport to develop new national guidance for bus stopping places. The guidance is intended to provide practical support for local authorities, transport authorities, operators and the wider industry.

Looking Beyond the Bus Shelter

The work will look at the wider environment around a bus stop, including how passengers reach the stop, how buses interact with surrounding traffic and how facilities can work for people with different mobility needs.

This makes the project more than a transport-design exercise. It brings together road design, accessibility, pedestrian movement, safety and public transport operations.

For cities trying to make public transport more attractive, these details matter. A technically efficient bus network can still be difficult to use if passengers cannot safely reach the stop or board the vehicle.

Why It Matters

Transport infrastructure is increasingly being evaluated not only by how much capacity it provides, but by how well it works for the people who use it.

Better guidance can help create greater consistency between different authorities and make accessibility a consideration from the beginning of the design process.

BIM Cafe Insight:

Good infrastructure isn't always about building something bigger. Sometimes it is about making everyday infrastructure work better for everyone.