Challenges and Visions for the Future Among Paratransit Providers
Shayna Gleason, Nina M. Silverstein
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study examined paratransit managers' perceptions of a changing transportation market and the resources or supports they might need to adapt to evolving market expectations. Paratransit comprises specialized origin-to-destination transportation, often targeting a transportation-disadvantaged population such as people with disabilities or older adults. Paratransit is often provided by a transit agency, a nongovernmental contractor to the transit agency, or other federally-funded entity. The emergence of transportation network companies (TNCs), which connect drivers with passengers in real-time via online-enabled platforms (e.g., Uber and Lyft), has changed the landscape of demand-responsive transportation, including paratransit. However, the experiences of those close to the operations of paratransit programs have been largely neglected in research on mobility developments. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 managers of paratransit services. The resulting transcripts were coded iteratively with NVivo software, using both inductive and deductive approaches to generate themes. RESULTS: Resulting themes included challenges with insufficient funding, severe driver shortages, and regulatory/policy obstacles, as well as hopes for expansion and modernization of paratransit services. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study's findings advance the literature toward policy and practice solutions that could improve paratransit services for older adults and other transportation-disadvantaged groups.