Haltestelle

Haltestelle is a term used in German-speaking regions to denote a designated location on a public transport route where vehicles pause to pick up and drop off passengers. It applies to buses, trams, subways, and trains. A Haltestelle is typically marked by a sign with the name of the stop and may include a timetable, a route map, shelter, seating, and sometimes ticket machines or electronic real-time information.

Origin and scope: the word combines halten (to stop) and stelle (place). While in everyday speech Haltestelle is used for bus stops and tram stops, in railway terminology more precise terms are used: Haltepunkt for a stop on a line without a staffed station building; Haltestelle may also denote a railway stop with passenger facilities. In many networks, the distinction is not strict and the terms are used interchangeably.

Types and features: urban stops often have shelters, seating, curb edges, and accessibility features; rural stops may have basic platforms and basic signage. Signage usually includes the stop name, line numbers, and schedule information, often with real-time updates via apps or displays.

Role and planning: Haltestellen are key elements of multimodal transport networks, linked to fare zones, timetables, and passenger information systems. They vary by country—Germany, Austria, and Switzerland use the term similarly, while local networks may adopt different visual identities.