8. The role of paratransit

SYNOPSIS. In many cities throughout the world, informal public transport modes have developed, often to fil l the gaps left between the mass transit bus and fixed track systems. This paper looks at some of the origins of these systems, their characteristics, regulation and costs of operation. Two particular examples of paratransit in the Middle East are described to demonstrate the kind of contribution which paratransit can make to the transport systems of developing cities.

INTRODUCTION

Paratransit is a term which has been used to describe a very wide range of public transport systems. In developed societies, it is often used for the more marginal, demand-responsive systems, such as dial-a-ride bus services. In the developing world, paratransit generally refers to a wide variety of taxi systems, often known alternatively as intermediate public transport.