Is there a difference between "transit center" and "bus station?" (Rule: transfer, buy)

[OzzyRules]

I'm not talking about bus "terminals" (which describe the downtown Greyhound Stati- er, I mean Greyhound Terminal). But I'm referring to places like the new North Star Mall Transit Center, Crossroads Park and Ride, Randolph PR, Medical Center TC.

A terminal refers to a place where the buses (or trains) remain overnight. A station is a place with an indoor facility (like a terminal) where you can buy tickets, passes, etc. And they usually have facilities like restrooms and vending machines at the very least.

So, my question is, why do people have to be all fancy these days and call them Transit Centers? I sort of prefer Bus Station myself.

[ShaneSA]

The Park and Ride "stations you refer to are more bus STOPS, not a station or terminal. I think VIA is trying to put lipstick on a pig.

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by ShaneSA

The Park and Ride "stations you refer to are more bus STOPS, not a station or terminal. I think VIA is trying to put lipstick on a pig.

I disagree. What does a station have that these don't have?

A "stop" is just a place with a bus sign on a corner where the bus stops (only if necessary). The most a bus stop ever has is a bench, if even that.

[OzzyRules]

"Lipstick on a pig." That's funny.

[GlorifiedMalcontent]

i wasn't aware that "transit center" was a fancy term.

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by GlorifiedMalcontent

i wasn't aware that "transit center" was a fancy term.

Like it or not, it is. Most people can't even remember the term. But I doubt that they would forget "bus station."

[GlorifiedMalcontent]

transit center would make more sense if it involved multiple forms of transit (maybe it does? i am not sure, i've never been to one.) transit centers/stations were usually where multiple bus lines, lightrail, metro, trains, etc converged back home. though given that sa's public transportation is very lackluster they very well could just get away with calling these places "bus stations".

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Bus stations have graffiti. Transit centers are new and graffiti free, for the first 2 or 3 days.... then they become bus stations again. By the way, I liked your comment about lipstick on a pig. Very funny.

[huckster]

The Pulic trans. system in S.A. used to be called the transit system
when I was a kid.
The Tower Life Building used to be called the "Transit Tower "
years ago.
A transfer ticket ,for two cents extra , would allow a cross town ride
for a grand total of 12 cents. I believe that is where the terminology
is derived.

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

I'm not talking about bus "terminals" (which describe the downtown Greyhound Stati- er, I mean Greyhound Terminal). But I'm referring to places like the new North Star Mall Transit Center, Crossroads Park and Ride, Randolph PR, Medical Center TC.

A terminal refers to a place where the buses (or trains) remain overnight. A station is a place with an indoor facility (like a terminal) where you can buy tickets, passes, etc. And they usually have facilities like restrooms and vending machines at the very least.

So, my question is, why do people have to be all fancy these days and call them Transit Centers? I sort of prefer Bus Station myself.

[OzzyRules]

Originally Posted by huckster

The Pulic trans. system in S.A. used to be called the transit system
when I was a kid.
The Tower Life Building used to be called the "Transit Tower "
years ago.
A transfer ticket ,for two cents extra , would allow a cross town ride
for a grand total of 12 cents. I believe that is where the terminology
is derived.

It may be an old term, but from what I've read, a simple bus station doesn't really classify as one.