Microtransit
Flexible, On-Demand Mobility
Well-designed, on-demand Microtransit services can be a productive part of the transit mix, serving less densely populated areas and thus helping improve access to mobility. Transdev operates many different Microtransit services for dozens of clients in the U.S. and worldwide.
Key criteria for success in Microtransit include: a) meeting genuine local mobility needs, b) being truly reliable and convenient, and c) integrating well into the transit system’s ticketing system and overall service design.
Features of Successful Microtransit Project
Hassle Free
Reliable and on-time pick-ups, drop offs and connections are key to ensure rider convenience.
Seamless Ticketing
Integration with transit ticketing system is vital — for easy booking, payment and transfers.
Clear Promotion
Clear, simple, branded materials on “how the service works” are essential.
Minimal Wait Times
Operations teams must continually focus on ensuring minimal waits for riders making connections.
Smooth Transfers
Tight coordination is needed between real-time transit arrivals/departures and the microtransit service pick-ups and drop-offs.
Optimized Key KPIs
Key metrics include miles traveled, time spent in vehicle & number of riders sharing trips.
Accurate Real Time Info
App must show “where’s my ride” at all times, for all modes that passengers are connecting between.
We have learned a great deal about why some Microtransit services succeed and others fail. The features listed in the illustration above are essential for success. Inconsistent or poor performance in any of these aspects will erode rider trust.
Microtransit services need a strong value proposition and well-managed day-to-day execution in order to deliver load factors and grouping rates (number of riders sharing the trip) that are high enough to be viable compared to fixed route bus service.
We have learned a great deal about why some Microtransit services succeed and others fail. The features listed in the illustration above are essential for success. Inconsistent or poor performance in any of these aspects will erode rider trust.
Microtransit services need a strong value proposition and well-managed day-to-day execution in order to deliver load factors and grouping rates (number of riders sharing the trip) that are high enough to be viable compared to fixed route bus service.
Operating Many Types of Microtransit Services
Transdev has successfully launched, piloted and is managing microtransit services in the U.S., France, the Netherlands and Australia. These services have helped achieve key equity, service and financial goals for our clients. We provide a variety of services and operate everything from 4-passenger cars, to vans and shuttles for 6 to 15 passengers, as well as autonomous shuttles.
Detroit, Michigan
First and last mile to/from a transit stop to 2 large employers that fund the service (Detroit Chassis + FlexingGate)
- Transporting employees, visitors and potential recruits.
- Passenger app to be supplied by Cityway, wholly-owned Transdev subsidiary.
- Tickets will integrate with Client’s “SMART” transit pass.
- Leveraging Transdev’s call center.
- Initial $1.4M grant helped launch the project.
- Along I-94 business corridor – in a manufacturing area.
Le Havre in Normandy, France
FlexiLia: Deviated fixed route bus becomes on-demand — taking riders to offices in a large industrial complex
- Launched in 2018.
- Fixed route buses change to on-demand inside the industrial complex.
- Passengers use app to tell the driver which office building is theirs.
- Highly popular service — ridership doubled in past 2 years.
- Takes riders to/from 200 companies (versus only 20 stops with prior bus service).
- 30% to 40% lower costs than previous bus service.
Vitrolles in Southern France
ChronoPro: Connects riders to & from a key transit hub to a nearby large office park
- Launched in 2016.
- 14 on-demand shuttles guarantee near perfect coordination with real-time bus arrivals and departures at a transit hub.
- Easy to use driver interface to manage pick-ups and drop-offs.
- Generates routes dynamically depending on where riders are headed.
- Ridership 50% higher than previous bus routes.
The Netherlands – in five cities including Amsterdam
We transport 24,000 passengers per month on Microtransit services that operate in five cities, with five transit agencies, replacing buses on less dense routes.
- Passengers book trips on an app or via a call center.
- A van-sized vehicle picks up passengers at a bus stop and takes them directly to their destination bus stop.
- Passengers may have to share the vehicle with other passengers, but this doesn’t affect promised arrival times.
- Passengers have rated the service very high in terms of their satisfaction.
- Ridership growth has been consistent since starting operations in 2017 and 2018.
Operating our clients’ selected tech platforms
- In the U.S., we work with clients to provide service using Microtransit technology platforms they have chosen.
- Alternatively, some clients have engaged Cityway, Transdev’s wholly-owned tech subsidiary, to develop microtransit services, apps and other mobility software.
Utilizing Existing Fleets to Deploy Microtransit
As an outgrowth of the pandemic, some transit agencies are using their existing paratransit infrastructure to offer a form of Microtransit to non-ADA riders by opening up their paratransit service to the general public. Sometimes they open service broadly and sometimes to people over 60.
These offers are, in effect, creating a type of “Microtransit” service using existing ADA vehicles. Some agencies, including our client in the Yolo County Transportation District in Northern California are currently providing this service offering.
Still others are offering paratransit passengers the opportunity to ride in the designated geo-fenced areas served by their Microtransit service. This lets paratransit passengers book on the same day, which is a real plus.
