This paper presents innovative paratransit schemes that will be found appropriate and useful in developing economies against the backdrop of underdevelopment, economic downturn and the need to combat congestion at public transit stations such as bus stops and bus terminals. Two such paratransit schemes, Co-operative School Bus Ride Scheme and Cooperative Company Bus Ride Scheme, as well as other modifications of such schemes, are presented. The individual schemes are proposed considering the modes of operation, ownership, control, benefits and possible drawbacks. The schemes are individually argued to be virtually stress-free, and they provide answers to congestion and attendant problems experienced by the categories of commuters they are to cater for at bus stops and terminals. The schemes are designed to address the peak period surge in demand from school children and company and government employees which usually over-stretches terminal and bus-stop facilities for the available (but equally over-subscribed) mass transit buses and cabs. Possible compositions, duties and regulation of management and control bodies for the schemes are discussed as well as the modes of operation of the individual co-operative paratransits. (A)
Abstract