This paper shows the experiences in the deployment and regulation of a non-conventional transit service, provided by low capacity vehicles (vans), in a Brazilian medium-sized city (Uberlandia, MG, population 500,000 inhabitants). The basic characteristics of the service, since its appearance in the city until its regulation, as well as the first insights after regulation as a complementary and partner to the regular bus service, are presented. The vans operate free to passengers, running in the suburbs of the city, feeding transfer terminals and regular bus stops. It is expected that the regulation will provide a better transit service. In addition, it may offer more jobs, reduce the automobile use and improve the urban transportation system as a whole. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116619.
Abstract