Integration of Paratransit and Transit Services: Importance of Vehicle Transfer Requirements to Consumers

The integration of paratransit and transit services is necessary in order to fully achieve the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many individuals with disabilities can use accessible fixed-route vehicles but do not because they are unable to get from their origin to an accessible bus stop. Using paratransit as a feeder service to the fixed-route system can minimize the total cost to the transit system of providing services to this segment of the population. It must be understood, however, that transferring patrons from one vehicle to another is undesirable to consumers. This is documented by the results of three studies covering a variety of locations across the United States. The surveys showed that a number of market categories of consumers ranked no transfers between vehicles as the No. 1 service feature that was necessary to attract them to the fixed-route system. Of 16 market categories, all determined no transfers to possess a positive utility for attracting them to fixed-route services. To satisfy consumer needs and to minimize costs to transit authorities, the negative characteristics of vehicle transfers must be mitigated through design. This can be done by providing timed transfers at designated points so that wait time is eliminated or minimized. Such transfer points must also be protected from the difficulties of poor weather conditions and must be well-lighted and secure. The provision of aids to assist in the transfer may also be necessary.