Paratransit

Paratransit (the term used in North America) or intermediate public transport (also known by other names such as community transport (UK)), is a type of transportation services that adds to fixed-route mass transit by providing rides without fixed routes or timetables to individual people.^[1] Paratransit services may vary a lot on the degree of flexibility they provide their customers. At their simplest they may consist of a taxi or small bus that will run along a more or less defined route and then stop to pick up or discharge passengers on request. At the other end of the service demand-responsive transport provides the most flexible paratransit systems offering on-demand call-up door-to-door service from any origin to any destination in a service area. In addition to public transit agencies, paratransit services may be operated by community groups or not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit private companies or operators.

Two Maui Bus buses working as paratransit services. One is picking up a person who uses a wheelchair, while another is discharging another person using a mobility scooter.

Typically, minibuses are used to provide paratransit service in the USA. Most paratransit vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps to give access.^[2]

In the United States, private transportation companies often provide paratransit service in cities and metropolitan areas under contract to local public transportation agencies.