The Governance of Demand-Responsive (Micro)Transits - A Multi-Level Perspective

In the public transport realm, demand responsive transit (DRT) or DRT-like microtransit services are tailored to match individuals’ diverse travel demands, addressing the much-needed last-mile problem of traditional scheduled public transit systems. Managing a DRT system could be a simple first step in understanding the governance of demand responsive services (e.g. ridesourcing) in general that share the common features of flexibility, individualistic and online platform-based service provisions. With that view, the authors deliberate this exploration here, reflecting on the governance of a DRT case study. The authors borrow from the schools of transition management and industrial economics to elaborate their understanding. Using the framework of the multi-level perspective, we investigate the drivers and barriers for the diffusion of DRT through the (public transit) regime. The main drivers of DRTs are found to be the willingness of local governments and transit operators to implement DRT, whereas the main barriers stem from infrastructure, technology, and market practices. It has several learning elements to inform the governance of shared services offered by transportation network companies (TNCs) in many cases. This research adds to the literature by offering a comprehensive foundation exercise to reflect on the governance of microtransit services.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP060 Standing Committee on Paratransit. Alternate title: The Governance of Demand-Responsive Transit Systems - A Multi-Level Perspective
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Sharmeen, Fariya
  • Meurs, Henk
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2019-1-13 to 2019-1-17
• Date: 2019

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 18p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceptance; Barriers to entry (Competition); Case studies; Demand responsive transportation; Governance; Ridesharing; Ridesourcing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Microtransit
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01697902
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 19-00300
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 1 2019 3:51PM