Transit Zones include passenger waiting, queuing and boarding uses in the sidewalk area as well as bus layover or staging uses along curb spaces in the street.

• It is important to design transit facilities and amenities that will attract transit patrons and accommodate their movements between destinations and transit services.
• Transit zones should be easily identifiable, safe, accessible, secure, and provide a comfortable waiting area for transit passengers while providing for pedestrian sidewalk circulation and through block connections for pedestrian travel.

New development must coordinate with SDOT Note: our procedures include asking developers and DPD to go through SDOT and SDOT will coordinate with Metro. For the installation, relocation and/or removal of transit zones and or/facilities, including bus layover or staging areas. For permanent installations, relocations, and/or removals, contact SDOT Policy & Planning transit staff.

Standard Plan 423: Bus Shelter Footing
Standard Plan 630: Metro Bus Zone Sign Installation

Design guidelines are to be used for the design of transit facilities, the placement of transit passenger amenities, and to describe the process for developing transit facilities:

• Transit zones should be accessible. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considerations will be given top priority in the siting and design of new and existing transit zones. Transit zones should consist of an accessible pathway and a wheelchair lift landing pad that are free from obstructions.
• Transit signage placement, equipment, service and schedule information will be provided for by King County/Metro Transit and authorized by SDOT.
• Transit zones are common places to find street furnishings and street lighting. Transit shelters and other amenities, including pedestrian scaled lighting, benches & litter receptacles must be consistent with transit agency priorities, standards and criteria.
• Utilize and/or design overhangs, canopies, and building arcades to provide weather protection for transit patrons, including leaning rails, benches and pedestrian scaled lighting. The design of overhead weather protection should be coordinated with the lead transit agency.
• Bus stop design must be done with careful consideration of transit speed and reliability and overall traffic operations. Installation of bus stops which require buses to pull into and out of traffic should occur only where an in-lane stop configuration is not feasible.
• For safety, consider transit stops on the far side of the intersection.
• Locate transit stops to assure comfort, convenience and safety for all transit users, including pedestrians, cyclists and people with mobility impairments. Consider well placed, well lit locations with good site distance in close proximity to crosswalks.
• Transit zones will be spaced to maximize the speed, reliability, rider comfort, and efficiency of transit service while providing adequate service coverage. The City of Seattle Transit Plan and current industry best practices call for 1/4 mile stop spacing between bus stops.
• King County/Metro Transit requests pre-design coordination and requires plan review for projects adjacent to transit corridors, zones and facilities. Contact Metro Transit’s Transit Route Facilities Supervisor.
• Contact King County/Metro Transit’s Office of Construction Coordination for construction impacts to transit corridors, services, zones (including bus stops and layovers) and trolley overhead system.