Guidebook for Attracting Paratransit Patrons to Fixed-Route Services

This Guidebook 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.