As UK towns and cities continue to invest in more sustainable and accessible transport infrastructure, the focus is shifting beyond just buses and trains themselves. They are, of course, a given and the main focus, but not the only aspect we pay attention to. People who travel, especially frequent travelers, appreciate the quality of public spaces and the overall infrastructure of stations. Well-designed public transport hubs aren’t just about getting from A to B. They’re about creating safe, comfortable, and efficient environments where passengers feel welcomed and supported.
From busy interchanges to rural park-and-ride sites, street furniture and shelter systems play a vital role in improving flow, comfort, and safety. In this guide, we explore the most important products to include in modern transport hubs—and how Shelter Store’s solutions can help create better spaces for everyone.
Comfortable Waiting Areas
Public transport hubs like park-and-ride stops or bus and train stations are often complicatedly organised places where multiple modes of transport converge and many needs have to be simultaneously served. When commuters are waiting for buses, trams, or shuttle services, they appreciate doing so away from the elements. Being protected from wind, rain, and harsh sun is non-negotiable. Not only does it make the experience more pleasant, but it also reduces congestion and maintains orderly passenger flow.
Coach and train stations often have bus stops out front, making them easy to reach. This requires the provision of convenient, sheltered waiting areas, such as our bus shelters. They come in a variety of designs, from standard to cantilevered shelters, in different sizes and finishes. They also include optional extras such as LED lighting, information panels, and toughened polycarbonate glazing.
Seating plays a crucial role, too. Well-placed benches and perch seats are particularly important for older passengers, people with reduced mobility, and those waiting longer for bus or train services. Durable, low-maintenance materials such as stainless steel and galvanised steel ensure longevity even in busy, high-traffic locations. By placing seating within sheltered zones—at bus stops, coach bays, and station platforms—passengers remain protected and comfortable throughout their journey.
Finally, covered walkways and canopies help connect key areas such as car parks, ticket halls, and interchange points, ensuring passengers have seamless transitions between key areas, keeping travellers dry and safe, and improving circulation across the site. Alongside standard bus shelters, connecting covered walkways, it’s equally important to include covered waiting areas at coach stops and on railway platforms to ensure that all passengers — regardless of their service type — can wait in comfort and protection. Without proper shelter, even a short wait can be uncomfortable, and by providing shelter at every stage of the journey, transport hubs become more accessible, user-friendly, and welcoming for everyone.
Traffic-Calming and Access Control
Transport hubs often involve coordinating large volumes of people and vehicles. Ensuring safe and efficient movement is critical. A well-organised layout helps prevent congestion, improves accessibility, and ensures that passengers can navigate the space with confidence. Traffic-calming and access-control products play a key role in maintaining orderly, predictable environments.
Bollards provide a strong physical boundary to prevent unauthorised vehicle access, ensuring pedestrians can move freely and safely around platforms and entrances. They can be fixed for permanent protection or removable where access may occasionally be required, such as for maintenance or emergency vehicles.
Speed ramps help control the pace of vehicles entering and passing through bus stations, park-and-ride sites, coach bays, and station forecourts, especially at drop-off and pick-up points where there are many pedestrians. By reducing speeds, they improve visibility, reaction time, and overall pedestrian safety.
Barriers are also essential for guiding vehicles and passengers. They help reduce conflict points, support queue management, and maintain order during peak travel hours or service disruptions.
Together, these systems improve safety and protect infrastructure. They create a more controlled, comfortable experience for everyone using the hub.
Smoking Shelters and Break Areas
Public transport hubs aren’t just for passengers—they’re workplaces too. From bus drivers and maintenance crews to security personnel and admin staff.
Providing well-designed smoking shelters plays an important role in supporting staff wellbeing, helps maintain cleanliness around entrances, and if you choose one of our models, it ensures compliance with UK health and safety regulations. We have a range of compliant smoking shelters in both freestanding and wall-mounted configurations. Designed to provide protection from the elements, they include essential features such as ashtrays and meet legal requirements by remaining at least 50% open.
Not all staff breaks involve smoking, so comfortable outdoor rest spaces are equally important for maintaining morale and productivity. Dedicated staff-only shelters and compact canopy structures can also be used to create comfortable break zones, especially if paired with seating and conveniently located litter bins to keep areas tidy. These spaces allow workers to take a breather, enjoy fresh air, and step away from busy operational zones.
For both types of shelter, thoughtful placement is key. Smoking and break shelters should be positioned away from main entrances and ventilation systems while still being easily accessible and well-lit for those working early or late hours. By carefully planning these facilities, transport hubs can ensure a professional, safe, and pleasant environment for staff and passengers alike.
Designing better public transport hubs goes far beyond simply providing buses, trains, or coaches. From first impressions to daily usability, the design of a public transport hub speaks volumes. The most successful hubs focus on the complete passenger and staff experience, creating environments that are safe, comfortable, and efficient.
Well-planned waiting areas with sheltered seating, covered walkways, and canopies ensure that passengers are protected from the elements while moving seamlessly between services. Traffic-calming measures such as bollards, speed ramps, and barriers maintain order, control vehicle flow, and improve pedestrian safety throughout busy stations and interchanges.
Equally important are thoughtfully designed staff facilities. Designated smoking shelters and covered break areas support staff wellbeing, help maintain cleanliness, and ensure compliance with regulations, all while providing convenient, safe spaces for rest. By integrating these elements into a cohesive plan, transport hubs become more accessible, welcoming, and user-friendly for everyone — passengers and employees alike.