This is the sustainable microtransit we could have if our politicians weren't cowards
March 14, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This is the sustainable microtransit we could have if our politicians weren't cowards
Charlotte's transit system is replacing bus routes with on-demand microtransit.
Sounds nice, but microtransit is *way* more costly to provide than bus rides. As microtransit requests grow, CATS must ration trips/increase fares/lengthen wait times.
Buses are a real solution. MIcrotransit is not.
Sounds nice, but microtransit is *way* more costly to provide than bus rides. As microtransit requests grow, CATS must ration trips/increase fares/lengthen wait times.
Buses are a real solution. MIcrotransit is not.
CATS ended several northern Mecklenburg bus routes for microtransit. Here’s why
Riders must now use a Uber-style microtransit program in the Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius area.
www.charlotteobserver.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Charlotte's transit system is replacing bus routes with on-demand microtransit.
Sounds nice, but microtransit is *way* more costly to provide than bus rides. As microtransit requests grow, CATS must ration trips/increase fares/lengthen wait times.
Buses are a real solution. MIcrotransit is not.
Sounds nice, but microtransit is *way* more costly to provide than bus rides. As microtransit requests grow, CATS must ration trips/increase fares/lengthen wait times.
Buses are a real solution. MIcrotransit is not.
Microtransit is a threat to public transportation, not its savior.
Case in point: In Dallas, wealthy suburbs are using microtransit as an excuse to ditch DART, the regional transit system.
Case in point: In Dallas, wealthy suburbs are using microtransit as an excuse to ditch DART, the regional transit system.
What Will Replace DART if Cities End Their Contracts?
Two cities allowing voters to elect to leave DART in May have offered microtransit systems as an alternative. They're flawed.
www.dallasobserver.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Microtransit is a threat to public transportation, not its savior.
Case in point: In Dallas, wealthy suburbs are using microtransit as an excuse to ditch DART, the regional transit system.
Case in point: In Dallas, wealthy suburbs are using microtransit as an excuse to ditch DART, the regional transit system.
I'll say it again: Microtransit is not a viable transit solution.
Unless transit agencies have unlimited budgets, microtransit cannot scale.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Unless transit agencies have unlimited budgets, microtransit cannot scale.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
April 15, 2024 at 5:20 PM
I'll say it again: Microtransit is not a viable transit solution.
Unless transit agencies have unlimited budgets, microtransit cannot scale.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Unless transit agencies have unlimited budgets, microtransit cannot scale.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"Few microtransit evaluations found that programs substantially increased transit ridership."
doi.org/10.1016/j.ci...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ci...
October 6, 2025 at 7:21 PM
"Few microtransit evaluations found that programs substantially increased transit ridership."
doi.org/10.1016/j.ci...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ci...
New community stakeholder approved Glassboro-Camden Microtransit™ zone just dropped.
Your van is: 15 miles away
Expected arrival: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Your van is: 15 miles away
Expected arrival: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
New community stakeholder approved Glassboro-Camden Microtransit™ zone just dropped.
Your van is: 15 miles away
Expected arrival: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Your van is: 15 miles away
Expected arrival: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"Rather than pursuing microtransit service, transit agencies and government leaders should prioritize efforts to improve the quality of existing fixed route bus and ADA paratransit service to meet the needs of both current and future riders"
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
September 14, 2026 at 9:49 PM
"Rather than pursuing microtransit service, transit agencies and government leaders should prioritize efforts to improve the quality of existing fixed route bus and ADA paratransit service to meet the needs of both current and future riders"
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_Fal...
Is an elevator simply not just dial-a-ride microtransit
October 18, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Is an elevator simply not just dial-a-ride microtransit
🔥 This is peak microtransit.
This is the sustainable microtransit we could have if our politicians weren't cowards
March 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
🔥 This is peak microtransit.
Microtransit?!?! Oh brother.
December 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Microtransit?!?! Oh brother.
I predict this microtransit zone will GO badly.
October 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I predict this microtransit zone will GO badly.
Kansas City's KCATA is a microtransit pioneer. Last year, its CEO told me that microtransit's per passenger costs are 10x higher than bus rides. 10x!
Unlike buses and trains, microtransit service cannot scale without destroying a transit agency's budget.
Unlike buses and trains, microtransit service cannot scale without destroying a transit agency's budget.
Kansas City Looks Back on its Long, Costly Ride With Microtransit
Since 2016, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has offered door-to-door trips from on-demand shuttles. Here’s what the transit operator has learned.
www.bloomberg.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Kansas City's KCATA is a microtransit pioneer. Last year, its CEO told me that microtransit's per passenger costs are 10x higher than bus rides. 10x!
Unlike buses and trains, microtransit service cannot scale without destroying a transit agency's budget.
Unlike buses and trains, microtransit service cannot scale without destroying a transit agency's budget.
Dallas: A great case study in how the overhyping of "microtransit" is encouraging leaders to destroy useful transit networks.
New article for @dmagazine.bsky.social about DART withdrawal elections and the future of the agency. Featuring the work of @humantransit.bsky.social, city council members using ChatGPT, and a detour to talk about transit in the Windy City.
Plano, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, and Irving are all weighing leaving the transit agency. Before the matter lands on May ballots, here’s how that has gone historically.
December 9, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Dallas: A great case study in how the overhyping of "microtransit" is encouraging leaders to destroy useful transit networks.
Step 1: Run a 6k service hour bus with an alignment worse than microtransit
Step 2: Replace bus with 15k service hour microtransit
Step 3: Declare victory
Step 4: Run out of funding as microtransit destroyed by ridership
Step 5: Declare microtransit failure
Step 6: Declare transit locally impossible
Step 2: Replace bus with 15k service hour microtransit
Step 3: Declare victory
Step 4: Run out of funding as microtransit destroyed by ridership
Step 5: Declare microtransit failure
Step 6: Declare transit locally impossible
May 15, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Step 1: Run a 6k service hour bus with an alignment worse than microtransit
Step 2: Replace bus with 15k service hour microtransit
Step 3: Declare victory
Step 4: Run out of funding as microtransit destroyed by ridership
Step 5: Declare microtransit failure
Step 6: Declare transit locally impossible
Step 2: Replace bus with 15k service hour microtransit
Step 3: Declare victory
Step 4: Run out of funding as microtransit destroyed by ridership
Step 5: Declare microtransit failure
Step 6: Declare transit locally impossible
My latest in Bloomberg CityLab:
Kansas City is a pioneer using microtransit, one of the hottest ideas in public transit.
But KCATA chief Frank White told me microtransit’s costs are astronomical, 10x more than a fixed-route bus. He thinks the hype is overblown.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Kansas City is a pioneer using microtransit, one of the hottest ideas in public transit.
But KCATA chief Frank White told me microtransit’s costs are astronomical, 10x more than a fixed-route bus. He thinks the hype is overblown.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Kansas City Looks Back on its Long, Costly Ride With Microtransit
Since 2016, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has offered door-to-door trips from on-demand shuttles. Here’s what the transit operator has learned.
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:34 PM
My latest in Bloomberg CityLab:
Kansas City is a pioneer using microtransit, one of the hottest ideas in public transit.
But KCATA chief Frank White told me microtransit’s costs are astronomical, 10x more than a fixed-route bus. He thinks the hype is overblown.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Kansas City is a pioneer using microtransit, one of the hottest ideas in public transit.
But KCATA chief Frank White told me microtransit’s costs are astronomical, 10x more than a fixed-route bus. He thinks the hype is overblown.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Microtransit is such a worthless plaything lmao
June 3, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Microtransit is such a worthless plaything lmao
In CityLab, I argued that microtransit hype is overblown:
🔹 On-demand, door-to-door trips require massive subsidies
🔹 Those subsidies are the same for a 2nd, 10th, or 95th rider
Microtransit just doesn't scale. Fixed-route buses are usually a better option.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
🔹 On-demand, door-to-door trips require massive subsidies
🔹 Those subsidies are the same for a 2nd, 10th, or 95th rider
Microtransit just doesn't scale. Fixed-route buses are usually a better option.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
On-Demand Microtransit Can’t Escape This Big Problem
The allure of cheap, responsive, door-to-door transit service is seductive. It’s too bad that it doesn’t work.
www.bloomberg.com
December 19, 2023 at 2:05 PM
In CityLab, I argued that microtransit hype is overblown:
🔹 On-demand, door-to-door trips require massive subsidies
🔹 Those subsidies are the same for a 2nd, 10th, or 95th rider
Microtransit just doesn't scale. Fixed-route buses are usually a better option.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
🔹 On-demand, door-to-door trips require massive subsidies
🔹 Those subsidies are the same for a 2nd, 10th, or 95th rider
Microtransit just doesn't scale. Fixed-route buses are usually a better option.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The worst thing that can happen to a microtransit service is that it succeeds and becomes popular.
My latest in Bloomberg CityLab:
Kansas City is a pioneer using microtransit, one of the hottest ideas in public transit.
But KCATA chief Frank White told me microtransit’s costs are astronomical, 10x more than a fixed-route bus. He thinks the hype is overblown.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Kansas City is a pioneer using microtransit, one of the hottest ideas in public transit.
But KCATA chief Frank White told me microtransit’s costs are astronomical, 10x more than a fixed-route bus. He thinks the hype is overblown.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Kansas City Looks Back on its Long, Costly Ride With Microtransit
Since 2016, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has offered door-to-door trips from on-demand shuttles. Here’s what the transit operator has learned.
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:51 PM
The worst thing that can happen to a microtransit service is that it succeeds and becomes popular.
Park City, UT is ending on-demand microtransit service. Officials plan to invest in fixed-route bus instead.
"The city brought on microtransit to reach public transit 'deserts,' but 90% of [trips]...originated in areas close to fixed-route bus service."
www.kpcw.org/park-city/20...
"The city brought on microtransit to reach public transit 'deserts,' but 90% of [trips]...originated in areas close to fixed-route bus service."
www.kpcw.org/park-city/20...
April 15, 2024 at 5:19 PM
Park City, UT is ending on-demand microtransit service. Officials plan to invest in fixed-route bus instead.
"The city brought on microtransit to reach public transit 'deserts,' but 90% of [trips]...originated in areas close to fixed-route bus service."
www.kpcw.org/park-city/20...
"The city brought on microtransit to reach public transit 'deserts,' but 90% of [trips]...originated in areas close to fixed-route bus service."
www.kpcw.org/park-city/20...
The region also has perhaps the most expansive microtransit that I've seen, unfortunately split across different operators despite using the same app vendor.
January 22, 2026 at 10:58 PM
The region also has perhaps the most expansive microtransit that I've seen, unfortunately split across different operators despite using the same app vendor.
The suburban transit agencies trying to secede from Dallas's DART are basing their plans on unrealistic visions of "microtransit." Nearby Arlington, Texas already shows the limits of that. Good @dallasobserver.com piece. www.dallasobserver.com/news/dart-co...
What Will Replace DART if Cities End Their Contracts?
Two cities allowing voters to elect to leave DART in May have offered microtransit systems as an alternative. They're flawed.
www.dallasobserver.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The suburban transit agencies trying to secede from Dallas's DART are basing their plans on unrealistic visions of "microtransit." Nearby Arlington, Texas already shows the limits of that. Good @dallasobserver.com piece. www.dallasobserver.com/news/dart-co...
No surprise that cheap, on-demand, door-to-door microtransit service is "having trouble keeping up with demand."
A terrific way to travel -- as long as taxpayers pay the huge, growing subsidies required.
I'll say it again: Microtransit doesn't scale.
www.route-fifty.com/infrastructu...
A terrific way to travel -- as long as taxpayers pay the huge, growing subsidies required.
I'll say it again: Microtransit doesn't scale.
www.route-fifty.com/infrastructu...
January 10, 2024 at 4:51 PM
No surprise that cheap, on-demand, door-to-door microtransit service is "having trouble keeping up with demand."
A terrific way to travel -- as long as taxpayers pay the huge, growing subsidies required.
I'll say it again: Microtransit doesn't scale.
www.route-fifty.com/infrastructu...
A terrific way to travel -- as long as taxpayers pay the huge, growing subsidies required.
I'll say it again: Microtransit doesn't scale.
www.route-fifty.com/infrastructu...
Governor signs law to expand microtransit to seniors, disabled residents statewide newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/gover...
Governor signs law to expand microtransit to seniors, disabled residents statewide • New Jersey Monitor
A bill signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill seeks to expand access to microtransit for seniors and disabled residents statewide.
newjerseymonitor.com
August 10, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Governor signs law to expand microtransit to seniors, disabled residents statewide newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/gover...