Microtransit is increasingly normalized in urban areas but is still a relatively new model for services in rural context. Rural communities seek ways to expand affordable travel options for residents and possess challenging, disparate community characteristics which may pose a challenge to sustaining traditional fixed route transit. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that explored this innovative solution to help move residents more efficiently and effectively. Presenters shared experiences from several agencies that are currently implementing microtransit.

This webinar is based on NCHRP 20-65 Task 76 Opportunities for State DOTs (and others) to Encourage Shared Use Mobility Practices in Rural Areas, TCRP B47 Impact of Transformational Technologies on Underserved Populations, and TCRP Report 230: Transit and Micromobility.

This webinar was sponsored by the TRB Standing Technical Committee on Rural, Intercity Bus, and Specialized Transportation.

The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.

Webinar agenda and presenters

• Shared use mobility practices in rural areas – Ranjit Godavarthy, North Dakota State University
• Microtransit in Wilson, NC – Gronna Jones, Wilson Transit (RIDE)
• Implementing microtransit in mixed urban and rural regions – Dana Platt, Capital Area Rural Transportation System
• Question and answer session moderated by Jonathan Brooks, LINK Houston

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Explain the connections between microtransit options exist and peer community experiences
• Identify ways microtransit may complement or substitute for existing rural transit services
• Take first action steps to assess microtransit strategies in a community or region

American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits

This webinar was approved by the American Institute of Certified Planners for 1.5 Certification Maintenance Credits. Please visit the Certification Maintenance section of APA’s website to claim your credits: https://www.planning.org/cm/. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.