Bus stop environment, perceived safety, and commute satisfaction: policy insights from Riyadh

Public transport stops shape the daily travel experience, yet their quality is often overlooked in hot-arid cities where heat exposure affects comfort and safety. This study examines how bus stop quality influences perceived thermal comfort, safety, accessibility, commute satisfaction, and mobility-related quality of life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A mixed-methods design combined audits of 120 bus stops, microclimate measurements at 30 stops, and intercept surveys with 600 riders. Regression results show that the Bus Stop Quality Index (BSQI) significantly predicts perceived thermal comfort, safety, and accessibility (p < 0.001). These perceptions positively influence commute satisfaction, which in turn predicts mobility-related quality of life (MR-QoL). Bootstrapped mediation confirms indirect pathways linking stop quality to satisfaction through perceived experience variables. Effects are stronger for frequent riders and users with mobility constraints. The findings highlight the importance of climate-responsive stop design and targeted upgrades to support equitable public transport use in hot-arid cities.