Flexible transport on demand
DRTs usually operate routes based on the users' requests using smaller buses. They operate in off-peak hours and low-demand zones and can even provide airport links. They are also known to provide niche services to low-mobility users (serving the disabled or elderly). This gives them a social tint. These services are usually run by one operator and are rarely linked up with the larger public transport network despite there being ample opportunities for improvement. A project was set up to improve communication, integration and cooperation amongst all the actors involved in DRT. The objectives of the project 'Flexible agency for collective demand responsive mobility services' (FAMS) were to step up technology, services and business models currently employed in DRT and try and create a flexible agency for collective DRT services. FAMS achieved some notable results during the project trial. The team managed to develop and implement innovative transport services, develop novel organisational proposals, and demonstrated that the product could be accepted by users. Since a hallmark of DRT is its flexibility, FAMS specifically proposed the following requirements for the project to work successfully: a need for a common FAMS service centre that would plan, manage and monitor the different types of vehicles and routes needed, and provide customer management; services linked to businesses involved in the DRT scheme and linked to the users; and lastly, a communication link between the service centre and the vehicles based on mobile phone technology. A FAMS portal was created to keep lines of communication open and separate those dealing with services and business, those directed towards customers, and those for general management and news. FAMS also opened channels for collaboration between transport service suppliers. This enabled them to benefit from a shared IT infrastructure and allowed them to get a general overview of what services were needed and where. At the conclusion of the EU-supported part of FAMS' work, it was decided to carry out further assessment after one and two years respectively to iron out any barriers that could impede the smooth functioning and implementation of its findings.
