Microtransit

Microtransit is a form of Demand Responsive Transit (DRT). This technology enabled transit service offers flexible routing and/or flexible scheduling of minibus vehicles.[1] Microtransit providers use instant exchange of information, enabling an extra real-time matching of demand (trip) and supply (driven vehicle) on top of an in-advance matching, which extends the accessibility of the transit service. Possible pick-up/drop-off stops are usually pre-defined to allow better routes' optimization. Conceptually, microtransit fits somewhere between private individual transportation (cars or taxicabs) and public mass transit (bus).[2]

The current implementations result from public-private partnerships or are brought by the private sector as B2C. Some are subsidized. It is unsure if microtransit can be profitable. Some actors provide the technology as well as the vehicles/drivers and their management. Examples of such private actors include Chariot (creating crowdsourced routes for example), Lyft Shuttle, SHARE, Shotl, Split, and Via. Some actors, such as Padam, focus on providing the technology only.

Success of microtransit systems depends on its configuration. Some experiences in the USA resulted in failures.[3]

The term may have emerged into widespread industry discussion around 2015.

Application

The flexibility and intelligence in microtransit can especially be interesting in cases when the demand is either geographically spread or coming at various and/or unpredictable times, i.e. when it is hard to gather demand with a planned transit service.


Outside references

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Shared-Use Mobility Center. The Silicon Valley Agency Launching its Own Microtransit Service. January 10, 2016. Photo shows one sort of van which may characterize microtransit.
  3. ↑ https://www.enotrans.org/etl-material/uprouted-exploring-microtransit-united-states/
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