{{short description|Shared transport services based only on demand without fixed routes or timetables}} [[File:Mercedes-Benz SprinterCity BU18 YRO Oxford FrideswideSq.jpg|thumb|Demand-responsive bus service of the Oxford Bus Company in 2018]] '''Demand-responsive transport''' ('''DRT'''), also known as '''demand-responsive transit''', '''demand-responsive service''',<ref name="NTDG">[http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/Glossary.htm#D NTD Glossary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113002142/http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/Glossary.htm |date=2013-11-13 }} US National Transit Database</ref> '''Dial-a-Ride<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dial-a-Ride |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=11 August 2022 |url= https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dial-a-ride/}}</ref> transit''' (sometimes '''DART'''),<ref name="kct">{{Cite web |title=DART (Dial-A-Ride Transit) Service |publisher=King County Metro Transit |access-date=11 August 2022 |url= https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/travel-options/bus/dart-service.aspx}}</ref> '''flexible transport services''',<ref name="FTS">[http://www.flexibletransport.org/ CONNECT is a Coordination Action in the Sustainable Development Thematic Area of the European Union's 6th Framework Program, successfully ended on December 2005].</ref> '''Microtransit''',<ref name="microtransit">[https://www.liftango.com/blog/what-is-demand-responsive-transport What is Demand-Responsive Transport?]</ref> '''Non-Emergency Medical Transport''' ('''NEMT'''),<ref name="microtransit" /> '''Carpool'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=ioki.com - what-is-demand-responsive-transport |date=2023-06-26 |title=What is … demand-responsive transport (DRT)? |url=https://ioki.com/en/what-is-demand-responsive-transport-drt/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=ioki}}</ref> or '''On-demand bus service''' is a form of shared private or quasi-public transport for groups traveling where vehicles alter their routes each journey based on particular transport demand without using a fixed route or timetabled journeys.<ref name="TransforCommunities">{{cite web |title=What is Demand-Responsive Transport? |url=http://transportforcommunities.co.uk/files/What_is_Demand_Responsive_Transport.pdf |website=Transport for Communities |access-date=7 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114114414/http://transportforcommunities.co.uk/files/What_is_Demand_Responsive_Transport.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> These vehicles typically pick-up and drop-off passengers in locations according to passengers needs and can include taxis, buses or other vehicles.<ref>[http://www.managenergy.net/products/R853.htm Synopsis of DRT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620074823/http://managenergy.net/products/R853.htm |date=2010-06-20 }} European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brake |first1=Jenny |last2=Nelson |first2=John D. |last3=Wright |first3=Steve |title=Demand responsive transport: towards the emergence of a new market segment |journal=Journal of Transport Geography |date=December 2004 |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=323–337 |doi=10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2004.08.011|bibcode=2004JTGeo..12..323B }}</ref> Passengers can typically summon the service with a mobile phone app or by telephone; telephone is particularly relevant to older users who may not be conversant with technology.<ref name=laker>{{Cite news |title=All aboard! How on‑demand public transport is getting back on the road |last=Laker |first=Laura |work=The Guardian |date=11 August 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/aug/11/all-aboard-how-on-demand-public-transport-is-getting-back-on-the-road}}</ref>
One of the most widespread types of demand-responsive transport (DRT) is to provide a public transport service in areas of low passenger demand where a regular bus service is not considered to be financially viable, such as rural and peri-urban areas.<ref name="drtbus.co.uk">[http://www.drtbus.co.uk/new%20what%20is%20drt.htm www.drtbus.co.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319100646/http://www.drtbus.co.uk/new%20what%20is%20drt.htm |date=2008-03-19 }} What is DRT?</ref> Services may also be provided for particular types of passengers. One example is the paratransit programs for people with a disability. The provision of public transport in this manner emphasises one of its functions as a social service rather than creating a viable movement network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Social benefits of buses: valuing the social impacts |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-benefits-of-buses-valuing-the-social-impacts |website=GOV.UK |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Integrated Public Transport Service Planning Guidelines |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/documents/2017/integrated-pt-service-planning-guidelines-sydney-metro-dec-2013.pdf |publisher=Transport for New South Wales |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="MeesPublicSolution">{{cite book |last1=Mees |first1=Paul |title=A very public solution : transport in the dispersed city |date=2000 |publisher=Melbourne University Press |location=Melbourne |isbn=9780522848670}}</ref>
==Definition== thumb|333x333px|DRT and other kinds of transportDRT can be used to refer to many different types of transport. When taxicabs were first introduced to many cities, they were hailed as an innovative form of DRT. They are still referred to as DRT in some jurisdictions around the world as their very nature is to take people from point-to-point based on their needs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) |url=https://my.stirling.gov.uk/roads-transport-streets/journey-planning-timetables/demand-responsive-transport-drt/ |publisher=Stirling Council |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=On-demand Transport: A discussion paper for future innovation |url=http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/taxis/TAXI_P_OnDemand_Transport_Green_Paper_discussion.pdf |website=transport.wa.gov.au |publisher=The Government of Western Australia |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="TransforCommunities" />
More recently, DRT generally refers to a type of public transport. They are distinct from fixed-route services as they do not always operate to a specific timetable or route.<ref name="CFLHD" /> While specific operations vary widely, generally a particular area is designated for service by DRT. Once a certain number of people have requested a trip, the most efficient route will then be calculated depending on the origins and destinations of passengers.
Share taxis are another form of DRT. They are usually operated on an ad hoc basis but also do not have fixed routes or times and change their route and frequency depending on demand.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grava |first1=Sigurd |title=Urban transportation systems : choices for communities |date=September 2002 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=9780071384179 }}</ref>
Some DRT systems operate as a service that can deviate from a fixed route. These operate along a fixed alignment or path at specific times but may deviate to collect or drop off passengers who have requested the deviation.<ref name="NTDG" /><ref name="PTVTelebus">{{cite web |title=Telebuses |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/maps/telebuses/ |website=ptv.vic.gov.au |publisher=Public Transport Victoria |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
==Comparison of demand-responsiveness by type== *Fully flexible route, fully flexible schedule, no booking – personal vehicle, foot
===Shared vehicle=== *Fully flexible route, fully flexible schedule, booking – minicab *Fully flexible route, fully flexible schedule, no booking – taxi
====Shared journey==== *highly flexible route, highly flexible schedule, mobile booking – microtransit *some degree of flexible route or schedule, no booking – share taxi/taxibus *some degree of flexible route or schedule, booking – paratransit *fixed route and fixed schedule, no booking – bus *fixed route and fixed schedule, booking – coach, aeroplane
==Operation==
DRT services are restricted to a defined operating zone, within which journeys must start and finish. Journeys may be completely free form, or following skeleton routes and schedules,<ref name="drtbus.co.uk" /> varied as required, with users given a specified pick-up point and a time window for collection.<ref name="drtbus.co.uk" /> Some DRT systems may have defined termini, at one or both ends of a route, such as an urban centre, airport or transport interchange, for onward connections.
DRT systems require passengers to request a journey in advance. They may do this by booking with a central dispatcher<ref name="drtbus.co.uk" /><ref name="CFLHD">[http://www.cflhd.gov/ttoolkit/flt/FactSheets/Transit/DEMAND%20RESPONSIVE.htm Demand-Response Transit Service] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924055236/http://www.cflhd.gov/ttoolkit/flt/FactSheets/Transit/DEMAND%20RESPONSIVE.htm |date=2008-09-24 }} The Central Federal Lands Highway Division, US department of Transportation</ref> who determines the journey options available given the user's location and destination. Increasingly, the booking is via an app, which provides the interface to software that creates a schedule in real time; adjusting the schedule to accept (or reject) bookings as they come in. This provides an instant decision for the potential user, but at the cost of efficiency: each individual travel need is considered individually, potentially resulting in higher levels of idle time (when the schedule has gaps that are too short to allow an additional journey to be added) and "dead mileage" (driving empty between one drop-off and the next pickup) than might be expected from a schedule built by an experienced human operator.
DRT systems take advantage of fleet telematics technology in the form of vehicle location systems, scheduling and dispatching software and hand-held/in vehicle computing.<ref name="drtbus.co.uk" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Teal |first=Roger F. |date=January 1994 |title=Using Smart Technologies to Revitalize Demand Responsive Transit |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10248079408903799 |journal=I V H S Journal |language=en |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=275–293 |doi=10.1080/10248079408903799 |issn=1065-5123|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Vehicles used for DRT services are typically small minibuses sufficient for low ridership, which allow the service to provide as near a door-to-door service as practical by using narrower residential streets.<ref name="drtbus.co.uk" /> In some cases taxicabs are hired by the DRT provider to serve their routes on request.
DRT schemes may be fully or partially funded by the local transit authority, with operators selected by public tendering or other methods. Other schemes may be partially or fully self-funded as community centred not for profit social enterprises (such as a community interest company in the UK). They may also be provided by private companies for commercial reasons; some conventional bus operating companies have set up DRT-style airport bus services, which compete with larger private hire airport shuttle companies.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
==Health and environmental effects== DRT can potentially reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and hence pollution and congestion, if many people are persuaded to use it instead of private cars or taxis.<ref name=laker/>
For a model of a hypothetical large-scale demand-responsive public transport system for the Helsinki metropolitan area, simulation results published in 2005 demonstrated that "in an urban area with one million inhabitants, trip aggregation could reduce the health, environmental, and other detrimental impacts of car traffic typically by 50–70%, and if implemented could attract about half of the car passengers, and within a broad operational range would require no public subsidies".<ref>Jouni T Tuomisto, Marko Tainio: ''[http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/5/123 An economic way of reducing health, environmental, and other pressures of urban traffic: a decision analysis on trip aggregation]'', BioMed Central, November 25, 2005</ref>
== Licensing == DRT schemes may require new or amended legislation, or special dispensation, to operate, as they do not meet the traditional licensing model of authorised bus transport providers or licensed taxicab operators. The status has caused controversy between bus and taxi operators when the DRT service picks up passengers without pre-booking, due to the licensing issues.<ref>[http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1464272007 Shuttle faces probe into 'illegal fares'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102201230/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1464272007 |date=2007-11-02 }} Edinburgh Evening News, 13 September 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.uk-airport-news.info/edinburgh-airport-news-150907.htm Row over Edinburgh Airport shuttle service] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224145654/http://www.uk-airport-news.info/edinburgh-airport-news-150907.htm |date=2007-12-24 }} UK-Airport-News.info, 15 October 2007</ref> Issues may also arise surrounding tax and fuel subsidy for DRT services.
== Effectiveness == Ridership on DRT services is usually quite low (less than ten passengers per vehicle-revenue hour<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foljanty |first1=Lukas |title=On-Demand Transit Market Report – 2025 Recap |url=https://lukas-foljanty.medium.com/on-demand-transit-market-report-2025-recap-3a8cf08b9899#5078 |website=Medium |publisher=Lukas Foljanty |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>), but DRT can provide coverage effectively.<ref>[http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/163788.aspx A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services]</ref><ref>[http://www.humantransit.org/10box.html Human Transit: Can a "flexible route" solve the problem of low ridership due to low density?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906220108/http://www.humantransit.org/10box.html |date=2015-09-06 }}</ref>
Analysis of the Yorbus DRT scheme in a rural area of the UK showed very little combination of individual travel needs. Of the 35% of operating hours when the vehicles were carrying passengers, there was just one passenger (or a couple travelling together) for 74% of the time, and two passengers (or couples travelling together) for a further 20% of the time. The 15-seat minibuses could have been replaced by small taxis without capacity problems for 97% of the operating hours.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Geddes |first1=John |title=Review of Yorbus operating data, Feb-Apr 2022 |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xTJUOfFJ_e5A_YqoPOR9YG-vMR67egxL/view |website=DRT Questions |publisher=John Geddes |access-date=24 February 2023}}</ref>
== See also == * Hail and ride * Microtransit * Open data * Paratransit * Share taxi * Route assignment * Wardrop equilibrium
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Public transport}}
Category:Demand-responsive transport Category:Types of bus service