posted on 2013-08-14, 12:01authored byLouise Davison, Marcus EnochMarcus Enoch, Tim Ryley, Mohammed Quddus, Chao Wang
In principle, Demand Responsive Transport services, or paratransit in US nomenclature, offer public
transport providers a more flexible and potentially more cost effective delivery option than
conventional bus services, particularly in situations of low demand. However in practice, there are
many examples of promising DRT schemes that have failed, for a number of reasons. One recurring
feature appears to be that the DRT operation introduced is not appropriate for the market served.
This is due to a lack of knowledge as to what markets may be susceptible to DRT.
This paper aims to help address this research gap by drawing on the findings of two qualitative
research data collection efforts, exploratory in-depth interviews and focus groups, each including
industry experts. Using a marketing framework, developments at the micro, meso and macro level
are explored to determine the circumstances necessary for developing ‘successful’ DRT market
niches.
Implications for managerial practice include integration of services to improve market penetration
and in responding to market development opportunities aimed at the general public. Technology
plays the greatest role in responding to market niche demand, primarily in enabling flexible booking
and providing real time information, supporting market development, product development and
diversification opportunities.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Citation
DAVISON, L. ... et al, 2012. Identifying potential market niches for Demand Responsive Transport. Research in Transportation Business and Management, 3, pp.50-61.
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in the journal Research in Transportation Business & Management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2012.04.007