Factors influencing productivity and operating cost of demand responsive transit

Since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1991 operating expenses for demand responsive transit have more than doubled as demand for this mandated service has expanded. Many advanced technologies and management practices have been proposed and implemented to improve the efficiency of the service; but, evidence for the effectiveness of these actions has been based upon projections or small pilot studies. We present the results of a nationwide study involving 67 large transit agencies. We evaluate the impact of implemented technologies and practices upon productivity and operating cost.