PARA-TRANSIT: TAKING THE MASS OUT OF MASS TRANSIT

Abstract

COMMUNITIES ARE REDISCOVERING THE PROMISE OF PARA-TRANSIT-JITNEY SYSTEMS WITH MODERN COMMUNICATIONS, SUCH AS DIAL-A-BUS, FOR MEETING LOW-DENSITY TRANSIT DEMANDS. OTHER PARA-TRANSIT MODES INCLUDE TAXIS, CAR POOLS, SUBSCRIPTION BUSES, AND MINICARS. IN A CITY OF 200,000 IN WHICH 1 PER CENT OF ALL TRIPS ARE NOW MADE BY PUBLIC TRANSIT, A DIAL-A-RIDE (D.A.R.) SYSTEM MIGHT CAPTURE 3 TO 15 PER CENT OF ALL TRIPS WITH CAPITAL COSTS OF LESS THAN $1.25 PER TRIP. EXPERIMENTAL D.A.R. OPERATIONS HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN CONVENTIONAL TRANSIT. MORE REASONABLE MEASURES OF SUCCESS THAN PROFIT OR LOSS MUST BE THE SERVICE'S ABILITY TO ATTRACT PASSENGERS TO TRANSIT AND TO INCREASE MOBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS. MODERN MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT METHODS MUST BE USED AND LOCAL LEGISLATION ADJUSTED BEFORE PARA-TRANSIT MODES CAN BECOME SUCCESSFUL. /AUTHOR/