A UK DRT Management Portal Dr James M Cooper – Napier University Jeff Duffell – Mobisoft UK

UK experience of Flexible Transport A quick definition of Flexible Transport (FT) Some counties using DRT/FT as major transport form – Lincolnshire (InterConnect) – Shropshire (Shropshire Link) – Dumfries and Galloway (Community Transport) – Highlands Smaller schemes struggled to continue when funding finished Poor (if any) links with Passenger Information Little commercial take up

Barriers to FT use Information on existing services Cost of providing services Matching availability to demand Days and times of services Operational reliability and service refusals

Technology Strategy Board Improved information sharing for the more intelligent use of Demand Responsive Transport: A UK booking Portal. – Edinburgh Napier University – Mobisoft UK – Quotient Associates – Aberdeen University

User Profiles Student moving to new area Holiday maker Taxi Operator Existing DRT provider City

Web Portal

The Potential Readily available access to service information Planning to reduce empty services Integration to increase use of existing services Knowledge to chose appropriately Small schemes have access to advanced technology Large schemes can take step-wise approach to integration

The Trial Existing DRT provider New DRT provider Small rural transport scheme DAR? CT? SEN? Taxi company Need to show level of integration Other? Suggestions and offers welcome!

Results Aberdeen University Ease of use/access for passengers and operators An example of ‘integration’

Exploitation?

Speakers James M Cooper Napier University Jeff Duffell Mobisoft UK