Understanding Transfer Intentions and Areas Suitable for Introducing Transfer-based DRT

- Case study on Toyoake City in Japan

Abstract

Recently, so-called community buses and Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) have been increasingly introduced to maintain local transportation services in Japan. However, concerns have arisen regarding the growing financial burden of their operation. One possible solution to this issue is the establishment of transfer points within existing bus routes. Therefore, factors such as transfer location, environment, waiting time, and fare should be appropriately considered. This study investigates the intentions of registered users of the DRT service in Toyoake City, Japan, to use transfers between buses and DRT. The results indicated that factors such as shorter waiting times and transfer locations at major hub bus stops with frequent bus services enhance the acceptability of transfer. Moreover, travel times by the use of transfer-based DRT were calculated. Based on these results, we identified areas suitable for introducing a transfer-based DRT system. The analysis revealed that the eastern and western parts of the city should be prioritized.