Reinventing public transport: rising to the transition challenge

Abstract

This article uses the authors’ research on the MK Connect Demand Responsive Transport service to explore how innovative public transport services can be developed to address Britain’s systemic decline of local public transport. Public policy is focused on a hi-tech revamp of the existing public transport model, which will have little impact outside big cities. Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) seeks to match modern patterns of travel behaviour and could be a cost-effective and socially positive option to replace lightly used local authority funded services. This was the case in Milton Keynes, where Britain’s largest DRT service, MK Connect, was introduced in 2021 integrating DRT with conventional bus routes. This case study identified tactical and structural issues of DRT. Although DRT meets modern patterns of travel demand and behaviours, it suits some people, trips and needs more than others, indicating a blended model of local public transport types may be desirable. Public policy, regulation and institutions are presently structured around the conventional fixed route model. MK Connect operates successfully despite these structures. Socio-economic policy infrastructures need to evolve to facilitate innovation otherwise there is a danger that the transformative potential of new service designs and technologies will remain unfulfilled.

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