Wait, what exactly are you doing at these bus stops?

“Are you just riding the bus everywhere?” “What are you actually doing at each stop? “You’re taking how much to each stop?”  

The chorus of my summer. My friends and family assume they understand when I tell them that I’m doing inventory, but when the conversation continues, I get to dig into just how much I actually do!    

My name is Della Avent, and I am a senior Computer Science and German Studies double major, known this summer as Bus Stop Barbie at my internship with Greenlink, Greenville’s public transport system. Though I have been included in a multitude of projects, my main focus has been on bus stops. I have created a system to keep track of all the bus stops in the network and am currently visiting each stop to catalogue what’s present at each stop. Do you know how many bus stops Greenlink services? 448 bus stops! And that doesn’t even include the downtown trolley. With that many stops, it’s difficult to keep track of everything – to know what is at each stop and if there’s anything that may need attention. So, the first half of my summer was spent working with all of the people who will use this inventory system. I learned what needed to be included and put that together to create an app that would be simple and intuitive for anyone to use.   

What exactly does the app look like? It includes forms for basic information about the stop, measurements to know whether a stop is currently ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible or not, and details about each amenity that may be there: a shelter, a bench, timetables, and so on. There’s also a space to mark if something is broken and needs to be repaired.  

What do you use to take inventory? I carry around a few different tools to do this. I have a tablet with a shoulder and hand strap that I keep on me to fill out each of the forms, as well as a mobile hotspot I can leave in the car. I have an electronic level, a power drill, and something called a surveyor’s wheel, which allows me to measure how many feet long each bus stop is. Then, I carry around a bunch of fancy stickers! The amenities at stops need either an asset tag or property sticker to let people know what belongs to the bus stop.   

What exactly are you doing at each stop? Every day before I leave the office, I pull up the route I will be inventorying that day and follow the same path as the buses. When I see a stop, I pull over somewhere out of the way so that I don’t block the bus operators’ sightlines. Once I’ve parked, I put on a yellow safety vest and turn on my bright hazard lights: safety first! I take all of the measurements and many photos: of the whole bus stop, each amenity, and anything that is damaged. Taking inventory of a stop takes me anywhere from three to fifteen minutes.   

Why? Why do all of this? This whole project is to help those who use and rely on public transit. My work in the field allows those at the office to determine which stops need to be fixed or upgraded. We are trying to take stops that are just a sign in the grass and make them accessible for those using mobility devices and add space to sit comfortably and safely. Taking inventory of our bus stops ultimately creates a safer, accessible, and more enjoyable experience with Greenlink.   

It’s been a lot of fun to see just how much many of the stops have been improving lately. Look here, a before and after of a new bus stop at the Greenville Public Safety Campus! The people at Greenlink do everything they can to create the best and safest experience for their riders. Interested in utilizing public transport, and our other upcoming improvements? Check out the Ride Greenlink website at https://www.greenvillesc.gov/greenlink-transit to learn more!