The node (Node: Symphony Road (13149315792) | OpenStreetMap) is named Symphony Road which is the CommonName from the NaPTAN database with the other portions of the name on the sign being the LocalityName and the Indicator.
This is likely the reason why they were originally named in this way. However, this is not what the sign says so I would say it’s wrong. I should note that this particular bus stop was originally added by me and I was matching the name to the surrounding bus stops.
To me this bus stop should be named ‘Up Hatherley, before Symphony Road’
The next part of my question is whether the abbreviations used should be expanded. The indicator section of the name is normally abbreviations such as opp, adj, and o/s. These are never shown on signs or anywhere in full.
The other part of the problem is that the names on the onboard announcements and next stop displays on the busses are not the same as on the sign so should they be an alt_name or another tag? These do often match the NaPTAN CommonName. Also, different bus operators may have different names for the same stops.
This makes sense. It follows the ‘on-the-ground’ rule and is the proper name of the bus stop.
I think the abbreviations should be expanded. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve never heard of the abbreviations ‘opp’, ‘adj’ and ‘o/s’ (and I’m pretty sure ‘o/s’ means ‘on the street’—Correct me if I’m wrong, though). The fact that I’m second-guessing ‘o/s’ should speak for itself.
I see a lot of opp, adj, and o/s in NaPTAN where the user is expected to select the elements of interest and use them as needed. As I see it the bus stop labeller reads the equivalent of a NaPTAN line (not necessarily from NaPTAN) and adds what they want while the timetable layer-outer is interested in a descriptive name and will include those abbreviations.
I have always read those abbreviations as opposite, adjacent and out-side a landmark (such as the Green Bull) - while adjacent and out-side have a subtle difference which is too subtle for me.
In my experience you can often find verbose versions of stop names on timetables or on signs, for example in this screenshot you can see how multiple stops on the same road might ‘officially’ include St Albans Hatfield Road as a prefix, but the OSM objects omit this and are called The Crown, Cemetery, Harlesden Road etc.
What are the other stops nearby on Up Hatherley Way called? If they all have Up Hatherley in the name, that’s clearly a prefix and should be omitted from the common name of Symphony Road.
Typically no. These indicators are not copied into name=. These are used to distinguish which side of the road a stop is on. If one bus stop is ‘opp’ and one is ‘o/s’, they should carry the same name= (e.g. Relation: Hertswood School (268740) | OpenStreetMap )
If you don’t know, why are you guessing? The indicators mean opposite, adjacent, and outside[1]
Up Hatherley is the suburb of Cheltenham which does indeed appear on other bus stops. I can see not including this part as its on a different line on the sign but the indicator is together with no distinction from the rest of the name so I think it should be included.
