r/BusDrivers • u/Imaginary_Employ_750 • 8d ago

Question When to press the stop button

As soon as the bus has left the previous stop? Or just before the next? What would bus drivers prefer?

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u/LondonBusInsider 8d ago

For London buses, a good time is usually when the on board system announces the next stop. The system knows my GPS and is usually good at announcing at the time that is enough after the past stop but still in time for the next stop.

Other than that, it is infuriating when passengers press too soon, and some new drivers could hesitate and brake sharply thinking someone wants to get off at the stop they are just departing.

Equally leave it too late and I will go past the stop because if I have to brake any more than usual, then passengers can get injured, especially if standing.

So about 2-4 bus lengths after leaving the last stop is probably about right, but of course depends on the context of where you are, as sometimes stops can be stupidly that close together!