The problems and potential of several demand responsive transportation (DRT) modes are examined in this paper. The analysis provides suggested recommendations to decision makers, as well as policy analysts and transportation planners. Included in the definition of DRT are the auto, taxi, rent-a-car, jitney, dial-a-bus, car pool, and subscription bus.
The main conclusions are: (1) Decision makers should not focus on taxis, rent-a-car, jitney, dial-a-bus, car pool, or subscription bus to reduce congestion and pollution without disincentives to auto use. (2)Jitneys can help the transit poor, and jitney development by the private sector should be encouraged, particularly along routes currently overloading public transit where resistance from transit operators is likely to be the least. Or, jitneys might be encouraged to feed public transit, if this proves politically feasible. (3) Since the greatest potential of dial-a-ride is in helping the poor and elderly rather than reducing congestion, decision makers should consider providing vouchers to the poor and elderly for use on taxis before considering the public provision of an entire dial-a-ride system. (4) Local decision makers, as well as state agencies supporting local demand responsive transportation, should support efforts to increase the supply of taxis. Recognizing the political difficulties involved in increasing the supply, compromise solutions aimed at encouraging incentives for competition, such as leased cabs, should also be encouraged.
I. A Look at Demand Responsive Transportation
A. WHAT IT MEANS
Broadly defined, demand responsive transportation carries its rider from the door of his or her origin to an exact destination point upon the request or demand of the rider. The personal auto, taxi, and rent-a-car are the most demand responsive forms of transportation. These are available at the user's door, serve the exact destination desired, and are almost instantaneously available. The conventional bus and rapid rail transit are the least demand responsive, involving long walks before boarding, long waits, and should come from, and where, again from a number of choices, the money should be put. The policy which appears to be implicit in the Consultation Document is surprisingly straightforward. It is that, subject to certain social