> The reason bus stops are so close in Philadelphia is because they stop every block
Which is the issue. Philadelphia's blocks were sized in the 1600s, they weren't designed to be the optimal spacing for bus stops. Given how tiny the blocks are, there is no need to stop at every block.
Quite a big difference between stopping at a stop sign and a bus stop. Also there isn't a stop sign every block, on the larger streets that most of the busses run on there are lights at the intersections. While Philly does a pretty poor job coordinating its traffic lights, that's a separate issue.
Which is the issue. Philadelphia's blocks were sized in the 1600s, they weren't designed to be the optimal spacing for bus stops. Given how tiny the blocks are, there is no need to stop at every block.