TCRP Report 24, "Guidebook for Attracting Paratransit Patrons to Fixed-Route Services," will be of interest to transit managers and planners in transit systems that provide complementary paratransit services under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Paratransit services are more expensive to provide on a per-trip basis than fixed-route transit, so operating efficiencies could be achieved by attracting some paratransit riders to fixed route. The Guidebook identifies the characteristics and preferences of four distinct market segments: people with disabilities who use fixed-route transit; people with disabilities who use paratransit; others who currently use paratransit; and people with disabilities who normally do not use transit. The Guidebook also provides step-by-step procedures for estimating demand, locating bus stops, training drivers, providing travel training for patrons, marketing services, and evaluating successes. Under TCRP Project B-5, research was undertaken by KETRON, a Division of the Bionetics Corporation, to identify the characteristics of paratransit riders with and without disabilities who could be attracted to ride fixed-route service, the features they value in fixed-route services, and the physical and institutional barriers that hinder such efforts. The research is based on consumer surveys of people with disabilities who do not use fixed-route services as well as those who do. On-board surveys, telephone surveys, and focus groups were conducted at transit agencies around the country to obtain data on passenger preferences and abilities. Survey results indicate that the top four features that can make fixed-route transit attractive to paratransit users are (1) low fares, (2) easy access (i.e., no big roads to cross) to the bus stop, (3) drivers who announce all stops, and (4) no transfers. A demand forecasting methodology was developed using the survey data and peer systems. Systems with transit service were grouped by geographic location, population density, climate, and topography to create peer systems. Using the peer systems tables provided, reference values for a user's system can be obtained on such items as ADA-eligible population, annual paratransit trips provided, productivity, and fixed-route vehicle information. Procedures to estimate the volume of riders who might switch from paratransit to fixed-route service are provided for the peer systems. To aid implementation, case studies were conducted of successful projects, thereby providing information on good operational practices. Route design, bus stop location, budgeting, advertising, partnerships, public involvement, and market research are all discussed in detail. A chapter of the Guidebook is devoted to driver training. Many transit riders — especially passengers with disabilities — rely on the driver. The third highest factor for making passengers with disabilities comfortable on fixed-route buses is announcing of stops. Another chapter is devoted to travel training for passengers. Knowledge is essential to making passengers with disabilities comfortable on fixed-route transit. This Guidebook will help transit managers and planners design and implement fixed-route services that are attractive to passengers with disabilities. An unpublished final report on this project contains the analytical support for the findings and recommendations presented in the Guidebook. (A)
Samenvatting