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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Fixed-Route Shuttle Service

This strategy runs shuttle services (buses, vans, light rails and other vehicles) on an established, fixed route that is convenient for many patients. It includes stops at various health and social service locations in accordance with a predetermined schedule.1 The system is the most common public transport system in the US, accounting for 32% of the rural bus system. Fixed-route shuttle systems must meet certain requirements within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that the system is accessible for people with disabilities. The schedule highlighting the timing and stops are usually posted at different vehicle station and online.

This mode of transportation is commonly found in cities and its various modes include:
– Local buses
– Commuter buses
– Express buses
– Bus rapid transit
– Light rail
– Subway
– Ferry boat

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • MPOs
  • Policymakers
  • Transit agencies
This strategy runs shuttle services (buses, vans, light rails and other vehicles) on an established, fixed route that is convenient for many patients. It includes stops at various health and social service locations in accordance with a predetermined schedule.1 The system is the most common public transport system in the US, accounting for 32% of the rural bus system. Fixed-route shuttle systems must meet certain requirements within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that the system is accessible for people with disabilities. The schedule highlighting the timing and stops are usually posted at different vehicle station and online.
This mode of transportation is commonly found in cities and its various modes include:
– Local buses
– Commuter buses
– Express buses
– Bus rapid transit
– Light rail
– Subway
– Ferry boat

How it Helps

This strategy will help to transport a large number of people at a time to medical facilities at a reduced cost. This will improve access to healthcare and patients’ quality of lives.

Implementing

Vehicle Accessibility:

It is important that all vehicles acquired for fixed-route shuttle services be accessible to older adults and people living with disabilities, especially those on wheelchairs.2

Maintenance of Accessibility Equipment:

Accessibility toolkits such as as ramps and lifts, wheelchair securement systems, public address systems, or kneeling features must be kept in operative conditions to ensure that the vehicle remains accessible for vulnerable populations. This can be achieved by daily inspection of this equipment by the fixed-route drivers.

Passenger Assistance:

The driver of a fixed-route shuttle system must be trained to assist passengers, especially people with disabilities, with use of the ramps and lifts, the securement system, and other features. Transit personnel must also allow adequate time for individuals to complete boarding and disembarking from the shuttle.

Cost:

Introducing fixed-route shuttle services can be expensive. For places where fixed-route system is either non-existent or the existing one is underperforming, making changes to the existing service can be quite expensive and time consuming.3

Potential Barriers:

Cities that are not well structured will suffer a major setback with this strategy and may require major restructuring and replanning. It may not be an effective transportation method in case of an emergency, as there is a strict schedule for each day. Sometimes, an additional transportation method may be needed because the scheduled vehicle stops may be located too far from medical facilities.

Examples

1) MTM Transit Company

MTM Transit is a transportation service company that helps public transit agencies increase fixed-route utilization and remove community barriers. They offer fixed-route and shuttle services to help community members get to essential destinations such as work, shopping, medical appointments and hospitals, airports, and even schools.

https://www.mtmtransit.com/paratransit-fixed-route/