Microtransit Promising in Closing Transit Gaps in Rural Virginia
Transit Agencies in Southwest Virginia and Hampton Roads Tested On-demand Transit to Improve Community Connections
RICHMOND — Ridership continues to grow for microtransit services in two communities in Southwest Virginia and Hampton Roads following the completion of a pilot showing the effectiveness of on-demand transit services in rural areas.
On-demand public transit, also called microtransit, allows people to book rides in real time through a mobile app or by phone call. Transit agencies send an available vehicle, usually a small van or shuttle, to pick up and drop off riders at their desired destination within a designated boundary.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) secured a $160,930 grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Integrated Mobility Innovation Program to test rural microtransit services with the goal of expanding transit access and improving operating efficiencies for transit agencies. DRPT partnered with Bay Transit and Mountain Empire Older Citizens for an 18-month pilot that began in June 2021. Since the conclusion of the pilot, both microtransit services have continued. A copy of the report reviewing the pilot can be found on DRPT’s website.
“Microtransit provides people with better access to jobs, health care, and their communities with efficiency driven by technology,” said DRPT Director Jennifer DeBruhl. “Bay Transit Express and METGo! show that on-demand transit can meet the needs of rural communities so that public transportation is serving more Virginians, no matter where they live.”
Bay Transit Express has its service area in Gloucester County, while Mountain Empire Older Citizens operates METGo! in Wise County and the City of Norton. Bay Transit charges $1 for each ride, and Mountain Empire Older Citizens received a $180,000 grant from DRPT for the agency to eliminate its fare collection for at least four years.
Over the 18-month period, both services experienced increasing ridership, with Bay Transit Express providing 9,039 trips and METGo! providing 38,996 trips. Most of the riders used the service multiple times a week. During the pilot period, Bay Transit Express expanded its service area, which attracted new riders.
The top destinations for riders were health care facilities, grocery stores, and workplaces. Many of the riders don’t have driver’s licenses for a variety of reasons, and microtransit removed the transportation obstacle preventing them from getting jobs. Both services received an overwhelmingly positive response from their riders.
“Microtransit has been a game changer for the communities we serve," said Mitch Elliott, Transit Director for Mountain Empire Older Citizens. "It truly is the future of rural transportation."
“Bay Transit Express has proven to be a significantly more cost effective and customer satisfying alternative to the deviated fixed routes we used to operate in Gloucester,” said Bay Transit Director Ken Pollock. “We are especially happy that the customer experience has been so good. Bay Transit Express riders typically have waiting times of around ten minutes after hailing a ride and they can give immediate feedback after their ride through the app. Bay Transit Express riders are awarding us an average of 4.9 stars out of 5 since the service was launched. With the success we’ve enjoyed in Gloucester County, we are beginning to explore replacing deviated fixed-route services in Tappahannock and West Point with Bay Transit Express.”
Microtransit is becoming increasingly popular across the United States, particularly in small cities and rural areas, where it can be cost prohibitive to operate extensive fixed-route systems. Transit agencies are using microtransit to augment their regular service to be more flexible and responsive to residents who would otherwise have to face long bus waits and transfers or who may not live near a bus route.
Several transit agencies across the Commonwealth have launched or shown interest in adding microtransit to their communities. Hampton Roads Transit has deployed microtransit services, Greater Richmond Transit Company and Charlottesville Area Transit are preparing to do so later this year, and the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation is conducting a microtransit feasibility study. DRPT is supporting these initiatives with state funding.
About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
DRPT's mission is to connect and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions. The agency works with rail and public transportation stakeholders to provide service to people throughout Virginia and promotes transportation options to the general public, businesses, and community decision makers. DRPT's vision is a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. For more information, please visit www.drpt.virginia.gov.
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