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Microtransit
The study recommends pursuing microtransit within a proposed service area combined with connections to or from a set of nearby regional destination options, in the implementation plan.
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Microtransit emerged as the top recommendation because it can provide local service, regional connections, and be cost-effective. It combines traditional bus service with ridesharing, allowing riders to travel anywhere within the service area. Riders can also request to go to or from the service area to a specific regional destination. Users request a ride in real time using a smartphone app, website, or phone call. It's flexible, convenient, reliable, and open to everyone!
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The service will operate with the proposed microtransit service area. The nearby regional destinations outside the service area include three Park & Rides north of Harnett County that provide connections to existing transit services in Wake County, as well as popular services and shopping centers to the south.
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Explore this page to learn more about the benefits and challenges of transit in rural communities and how microtransit with connections to nearby areas is a good solution for a growing region.
Microtransit
The first phase of the study found that people want more flexible and connected transit services. Most respondents are interested in using transit for shopping, recreation, and medical trips. Based on community data and feedback, four transit service options were considered. Microtransit with regional connections is the recommended service.
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What is microtransit?
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Microtransit is a mix of traditional bus service and ridesharing. Riders can request a ride using a smartphone app, website, or by phone call. They can request rides in real-time and travel anywhere within the service area on their own schedule, including to multiple destinations. The service is open to everyone. Depending on the service, the bus might pick people up and drop them off at one’s house (curb to curb) or at a nearby spot (node to node) to make the trip faster.
Potential Benefits
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Direct service with phone, web, or app-based reservation
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Flexible routes and ride tracking
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Improved mobility for the entire community
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Access to jobs, services, opportunities for rural and suburban areas
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More efficient than traditional bus service
Potential Challenges
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Some passengers may not have access to or feel comfortable using a smartphone app so there would be a need to offer a phone scheduling option
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Additional operating costs for new service
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Longer wait times during busy hours
How Can You Use Microtransit?
Microtransit can be useful for a wide range of people, including students, parents, workers, and seniors.
Emily is a single parent. Her son has soccer practice and music lessons on the weekends. Emily could use the direct service to get between different destinations. Microtransit would make her weekends less stressful because she would not have to worry about fixed bus schedules.
Craig is a veterinarian at the Lillington Veterinary Hospital. If a request for a farm visit pops up at the last minute, he could use microtransit to book a ride instantly and get to the farm quickly.
Paige is a nurse at Central Harnett Hospital. She could use microtransit to get home after her overnight shift at 7 a.m. The flexible routing and ride tracking would guarantee a timely and safe arrival.
Spencer works in downtown Raleigh but he does not like driving in traffic and prefers to relax on his commute. He could use microtransit to access the GoRaleigh FRX service in Fuquay-Varina to get into the office on weekdays. The phone-based application would make it easy for him to book rides and track their arrival.
Arthur has multiple medical appointments on the same day at different locations. The flexible routing would get him to multiple appointments on the same day.
Agatha and her husband prefer not to drive, especially at night. If a request to babysit her grandkids pops up at the last minute, she could use microtransit to book a ride instantly and get to their house quickly.
Bruce attends an exercise class on Mondays at the Coats Senior Center. He could use the phone-based reservation application to book rides. The ride tracker would guarantee he arrives on time.
​Maureen has a weakened immune system and avoids crowded spaces. If she uses microtransit, she could ride in smaller vehicles instead of a packed bus.
Jackson could use microtransit to get to his internship in Raleigh. The service would drop him off and pick him up at the Apex Park & Ride. Jackson would then connect to the GoTriangle 305 service. The phone-based application would make it easy for him to book rides and track their arrival.
Rebecca moves into her dorm in August. She could book direct rides to pick up items for her dorm room. The smaller vehicles would be easier than an expensive delivery or riding a crowded bus.
Olivia is president of a sorority at Campbell University. After classes, she volunteers at a community organization. She could use microtransit for its flexible routing and ride tracking to get her to and from her community service commitments.
Greg lives in an off-campus apartment. He could use microtransit to do his shopping for the week. The flexibility in destination choices would make it easy for him to run errands and get his grocery shopping done.
