Demand-Response Transit Service

General Description:

Demand-Response Transit Service is comprised of vehicles operating in response to calls from passengers or their agents to the transit operator, who then dispatches a vehicle to pick up the passengers and transport them to their destinations. A demand response operation is characterized by the following: (a) The vehicles do not operate over a fixed route or on a fixed schedule except, perhaps, on a temporary basis to satisfy a special need; and (b) typically, the vehicle may be dispatched to pick up several passengers at different pick-up points before taking them to their respective destinations and may even be interrupted en route to these destinations to pick up other passengers.

Effects of Solution:

þ Increase Passenger Throughput (Transit improves throughput)

¨ Increase Roadway Capacity

¨ Manage System Efficiency

þ Reduce Local Demand (Reduces vehicular demand)

Demand-Response Transit Service increases passenger throughput because multiple passengers typically use the service at one time.  The reduction in vehicle trips also reduces the demand on a facility.

Examples of Implementation:

Demand-Responsive Van Service

Grand Teton National Park

Cam Hugie, Facilities Manager, Grand Teton National Park

Mel R. Denton, Buffalo Fork Subdistrict Chief Ranger, Grand Teton National Park

Demand-Response Shuttle

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Clyde Morris, Refuge Manager, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Demand-Responsive Transit

Redwood National and State Parks

Dave Gray, Projects Manager, Redwood National Park

Marjorie Sharp, Paratransit’s General Manager for Redwood Coast Transit service

Cost/Financial Information:

(Cost/financial information is based on 2005 dollars.  Cost/financial information is estimated, and will vary based on size and scope of project, number of units, etc.)

Costs will vary depending upon the size of vehicles used, and hours of operation.  Costs may also be dependent upon the area to be served (rural vs. urban) and the number of passengers carried.  In general, this type of service can cost between $40-$150 per hour, with possible additional costs for capital equipment (buses).

Additional Resources:

American Public Transportation Association – APTA: http://www.apta.com

Community Transportation Association of America – CTAA: http://www.ctaa.org

Federal Transit Administration – FTA: http://www.fta.dot.gov

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