Microtransit Solutions in Rural Communities

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July 2nd, 2025

Dial-a-ride and fixed-route transit options are some of the ways that microtransit services have traditionally been implemented in rural areas. App-based booking and dynamic routing are among the newer offerings transit agencies are exploring to provide greater flexibility and more spontaneous options for users.

TCRP Synthesis 178: Microtransit Solutions in Rural Communities: On-Demand Alternatives to Dial-a-Ride Services and Unproductive Coverage Routes, from TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program, provides a comprehensive overview of rural microtransit operations through a literature review, surveys of 19 transit providers, and case examples of seven agencies. High customer satisfaction and improved service efficiency were frequently cited as benefits of microtransit solutions.

Read the full study here.