MultiDEPART

Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) services are gathering momentum in Europe, especially in medium and small size cities and low-density suburbs surrounding large metropolitan areas. Also known as bus on demand or microtransit, DRT allows the provision of public transport services through flexible routes and schedules, based on actual demand collected from users through digital or other communication tools.  

DRT also has the potential to solve accessibility issues for urban low-demand areas thanks to the digitalisation of public transport and mass adoption of mobile phones. Accessibility to public transport in poorly served areas can impact the social and economic possibilities of vulnerable communities and reduce private car usage. 

The project, a multi-operator tool for managing Demand rEsPonsive trAnspoRT (MultiDEPART), is developing tools to plan, manage and monitor DRT solutions. Applied in Lisbon, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and Thessaloniki,  MultiDEPART is targeting public transport authorities (PTAs) and facilitating the harmonisation and scalability of DRT services across European cities.