BUS TERMINAL

DESIGN

DULAQUE, GWYNETH AZZEDINE B.

AR 3111/D- ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 05
RSW MT-01
DEFINITION
A bus station is a structure where city or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off
passengers. While the term bus depot can also refer to a bus station, it refers to a bus
garage. A bus station is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the
roadside where buses can stop. It may be intended as a terminal station for several
routes, or as a transfer station where the routes continue.

Bus stations and terminals are a significant element in the operation of bus services. Their
design and location affect the efficiency of a transport system, and its impact on other
road users. Bus stop design can encompass many styles, materials, locations, and
purposes. Some cities need bus stops that can accommodate large numbers of people,
while others may need to ensure that the structure can withstand the elements and offer
protection to waiting passengers.

Mainly, the bus stop design needs to match the style and tone of the city it’s installed in.
While modern bus stop design is becoming increasingly popular in large, metropolitan
areas, these looks won’t mesh well with smaller, suburban bus routes. This modern bus stop
has everything necessary from seating to advertising, while being quietly sleek and
minimal in design. With three sides and a roof, it offers plenty of protection from the
elements, along with a floating bench for seating.
TYPES OF BUS TERMINAL

1. INTER CITY BUS TERMINAL

The intercity terminal is usually found in the downtown core and is accessible directly by local transit,
taxi, and auto. It differs from other terminal types in that it includes long haul service in excess of
several hundred miles and provides for a much greater number of bus movements.

2. URBAN SUBURBAN COMMUTER TERMINAL

Is a passenger collection and distribution center or a rapid transit feeder station. It is

characterized by a diversified bus route and high turn over commuter type bus
operations.
3. AIRPORT CITY TERMINAL

Is primarily intended for the transport of airline passengers from the urban center to the
major airport it is serving. The terminal is accessible by local transit system, taxi and autos.
It gives information of the scheduled departure and arrival of flights including the pre-
ticketing and check-in facilities.

4. SUBURBAN INTER PROVINCE TERMINAL

Is a peripheral type designed to avoid traffic congestions. It is sometimes referred to as

park and ride terminal because the access is primarily served by auto. This type of
terminal is usually one story building of simple construction.
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
1. The functional organization of bus terminal is governed by the site and locations.
2. Area and shape of the lot.
3. The volume and type of bus operations.
4. Passengers and bus traffic circulations.

The most significant planning requirement in Bus Terminal is the provisions for parking
space. The area should minimize walking distance to the terminal provided with a
covered walk connecting the parking area to the terminal building. The in and out
movement should avoid traffic congestions along the adjacent arteries. The movement
of both passengers and vehicles at the same level is inevitable. Hence, it is imperative to
provide a safety measures separating the two movements.
SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUS TERMINAL
A. Public Seating D. The Dispatch Office
B. Ticketing Facilities E. Office
C. The Baggage Room

A. PUBLIC SEATING
Public seating should be directly accessible to the concourse area provided with
drinking fountain, trash baskets, and clocks. For Inter City Bus Terminal, provide one
seat for every three passengers. The number of passengers is calculated by
multiplying the number of loading berths by an average bus capacity between 35
to 38 persons. An 8 berths loading platform terminal requires seating between 93 to
101 persons.

35 * 8 = 280 = 93 passengers
3

38 * 8 = 304 = 101 passengers

3
B. TICKETING FACILITIES
The new concept of terminal ticketing facility is the open counters in contrast with
the old caged window. The number of selling positions or station agents varies with
the operation policy. On the average, one position is provided for each 25 to 30
waiting room seats. The length of the counter space depends on the individual
carrier operation and the ticketing equipment used which varies from 90cm to
150cm per position or about 4.5 to 5.5 sq. meters per position. The counter height is
usually 105 centimeters.

C. THE BAGGAGE ROOM

Baggage room must have an area of about 10% of the total building area or
contain about 4.5 sq. meters for each bus loading berth or whichever is higher.

The baggage room should be accessible to both public and concourse equipped
with standard metal racks about 4 or 5 tiers high or baggage storage. A certain
portion of the baggage room is sometimes used for package express service
functioning without interfering with the concourse traffic.
D. THE DISPATCH OFFICE
The dispatch office controls all buses movements. It is located at the concourse for
direct observation of the loading berths. The office size could be from 4.5 to 14 sq.
meters. The public lockers and telephones are revenues producing facilities. As to
the quantity, it is a matter of management prerogatives.

E. OFFICE
All terminals require an office space regardless of its type. The area depends upon
the type and size of the terminal.

DESIGN OF PEDESTRIAN FOR TERMINAL PASSENGERS

The design of pedestrian facilities depends upon the type of terminal and its
pedestrian traffic layout. Commuter passenger terminal has extreme but short
peak traffic and repetitive passengers flow. Unlike the long distance travel
terminal, passengers are unfamiliar with the facilities and peak traffic level that
may stay for several hours.
According to John J. Fruin ‘The challenge to the terminal designer is to balance
the space requirement for a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing human
environment against the space restraints cause by building configuration and cost.

PLATFORM LOADING TYPES

1. Parallel loading
This type of platform loading requires large amount of space. Buses has to wait until
after the first bus exits. Large terminal requires overpass or underpass pedestrian to
protect the passengers from crossing the lanes.

2. Right Angle Loading

This type of platform loading has difficulty in the maneuvering of bus.
3. Straight Saw-tooth Loading
Is proven efficient where lot is comparatively marrow and deep. The passenger has
direct approaches to the loading door and baggage truck can operate between
buses for side loading.

4. RADIAL SAW-TOOTH LOADING

Is considered the most efficient type of platform loading that requires a minimum
front. The wide space at the rear permits an easy maneuvering of the bus.

The physical dimensions and maneuverability of the bus dictates the

measurements of:
1. Width of the roadway. 4. The ceiling heights.
2. The shape of platform. 5. Bus level design.
3. The column spacing.
STANDARD BUS DIMENSIONS
REFERENCES:

Standards for bus terminals. (n.d.). PPT. https://www.slideshare.net/IndrajitKoner/standards-for-bus-

terminals

Arreza, J. (2020). Fajardo, Max Jr. - Planning Design Handbook. www.academia.edu.

https://www.academia.edu/43094935/Fajardo_Max_Jr_Planning_Design_Handbook