Urban transportation in North America 4. para‐transit

Abstract

Para-transit is defined as a form of public transportation since the user is transported in a vehicle driven by someone else, the ride is shared with others, and service is provided in an organized and systematic way. It is considered that para-transit can take many forms such as dial-a-bus, jitneys, shared taxis, subscription services, van pools, and public automobile service using small vehicles. In summary, para-transit refers to a class of urban transportation modes that utilises small vehicles on existing streets and highways. The author describes various forms of para-transit and provides information on the operations of existing demand responsive transit systems in the United States, Canada and Europe. Reference is also made to the jitney, or shared taxi, and examples quoted of their operation in the USA, Caracas, Venezuela and Manila in the Philippines. Other systems are also described, and it is suggested that the objective of all such systems is to improve mobility by making better use of what already exists and at a reasonable cost. The major impediments to realizing these benefits are felt to be in the areas of regulations, insurance, control of vehicles and drivers, and labour. /TRRL/

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