Some observations on the organisation of demand responsive transport service

Abstract

This paper presents new concepts of Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service provision emphasising the advantages of route flexibility. The paper reviews briefly the development of DRT services world-wide and then focuses on the new service concepts that have been developed as part of the DGXIII-funded SAMPLUS project. Five European demonstration sites are introduced and the experience of the Italian case-study (Florence) is taken as a detailed example. The evaluation of DRT services comprises four assessment categories (economic viability, service provision, technical performance and market projection). In conclusion, discussion centres on the contribution of DRT to future public transport provision and the barriers that must be overcome in order to facilitate widespread adoption.