hey, thanks for the reply.

the ptv2 documentation and the stop_position page both describe the stop position as the point on the roadway or track where the vehicle actually halts, while the platform marks where passengers wait. both are valid parts of the same stop and belong together in a `public_transport=stop_area` relation. the wiki examples show routes listing both the `stop_position` and `platform`.
there's a small note on the stop_position page saying it can be superfluous if it's placed exactly beside the platform, meaning it adds no new info, but i read that more like "you can skip it if you want" than "don't use it".
including both is within ptv2 and useful for validation tools, removing them trims some detail that ptv2 consumers can use.
also, the bus stops meters away from the area where people wait for the bus.