Industry Practice: Boarding/Alighting Away from the Curb

[George Vaspori]

Hello CUTA colleagues,

DRT is reviewing SOP language related to customer boarding and alighting when a bus is unable to stop at the curb and a live traffic lane exists between the open side of the bus and the curb.

We’re interested in understanding how other agencies address this situation. Specifically:

• Do you have a formal policy, SOP, or operator instruction?
• Is boarding treated differently than alighting?
• Is operator discretion permitted, and if so, under what conditions?
• Would you be willing to share your wording or approach?

Our draft language is below:

Boarding
Operators should not board customers where a live traffic lane exists between the open side of the bus and the curb.

An exception may be made when circumstances reasonably justify boarding at that location and conditions reasonably support safe customer access.

Before permitting boarding, Operators must consider:

• Traffic volume, speed, and visibility;
• The ability of customers to safely access the bus;
• The presence of mobility devices, strollers, children, or other vulnerable customers;
• Road, weather, and surface conditions;
• Construction zones, temporary traffic controls, emergency scenes, or detours; and
• Whether a safer alternative stopping location is reasonably available.

Where a safer alternative location is reasonably available, Operators should use that location whenever practical.

Alighting
Operators should not permit customers to alight where a live traffic lane exists between the open side of the bus and the curb.

Where such conditions exist, customers shall be discharged at the next safe location where they can safely access the curb, sidewalk, or designated pedestrian area.

We would appreciate any examples, lessons learned, or best practices from your agency.

Thank you.

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