For a transit stop with heavy foot traffic, the best capacity is usually a 55–65 gallon (about 210–250 liters) urban trash bin. That range hits the practical middle ground: large enough to handle a steady flow of coffee cups, food wrappers, bottles, and transit passes without overflowing between pickups, but not so large that it becomes heavy, expensive to service, or likely to sit with waste for too long if collection is missed.
If the stop is a major hub with multiple bus routes, food vendors nearby, and collection at least twice per day, a 65–80 gallon bin can work well. If collection is only once daily or the stop sees evening event traffic, I’d lean toward 80–95 gallons (300–360 liters) and make sure the hauler can empty it efficiently. For most standard heavy-foot-traffic stops, though, 55–65 gallons is the safer choice—especially when paired with a regularly scheduled liner change and a quick litter sweep.
Capacity alone is not enough. Choose a durable, powder-coated steel or heavy-duty plastic receptacle with a rain hood, restricted openings, a locking liner ring, and fire-resistant liners. Hands-free or dual-opening designs help with flow, and clear waste/recycling labels reduce contamination. Also check the footprint and collection-truck compatibility; a bin that is hard to empty will overflow no matter what capacity the label says.
In short, I’d specify a 65-gallon bin for most busy transit stops, then adjust up to 80–95 gallons only when waste generation and collection frequency justify it. Match capacity to service frequency, not just crowd size, and the stop will stay cleaner and easier to maintain.