Microtransit is an on-demand, flexible public transportation service that uses dynamic routing to respond to trip requests from multiple riders travelling in the same direction.
How does microtransit work?
Riders can request trips in real-time by phone, or using an app or website. Vehicles’ routes are adjusted based on riders' requests and locations. Multiple passengers travelling in the same direction can share a single vehicle, usually a van, shuttle, or small bus.
Who runs microtransit programs?
Many microtransit programs are run in public/private partnerships. While technology companies supply the software and logistics, cities or transit agencies provide the vehicles and drivers.
What's good about microtransit?
Microtransit caters to the needs of riders in low-density areas, underserved by fixed-route public transit, sometimes known as ‘transit deserts’. These services improve accessibility for those with limited transit options, giving them a convenient way to get around without a private car.
Microtransit effectively addresses first- and last-mile connectivity challenges, enabling people to connect with wider transit networks to access essential destinations. Surprisingly, it can also be more affordable than traditional fixed-route public transit services, mile for mile.
Kuba's key microtransit collaborations
Kuba has collaborated with public transit agencies and other technology companies for several years to provide microtransit services through our mobile app.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Kuba partnered with DART to develop the GoPass® app, the first U.S. mobile app solution integrating multiple transit agencies and transportation modes, including microtransit. Collaborations with Spare Labs and RideCo enabled the integration of GoLink, DART's on-demand service, into the app, allowing users to plan, book and pay for multimodal journeys all in one place.
MetroLink Tulsa
In partnership with RideCo and MetroLink Tulsa, Kuba expanded the GoPass® app to support Tulsa's MicroLink (microtransit) and LinkAssist (paratransit) services. This integration enables journey planning and booking/payment for different transit options, all within the app. This streamlined service has resulted in a 14% reduction in cost per passenger.
MicroLink continues to demonstrate the impact of a flexible, responsive service designed around community needs. In April this year, MicroLink broke weekly and monthly ridership records. They provided 2,636 rides, the highest weekly total to date, and 10,743 rides over the previous thirty days. Microlink's on-time performance remains steady at 90%.
CATS Micro, Charlotte
Kuba supported the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in launching CATS Micro, an on-demand microtransit service in Northern Mecklenburg County. The CATS Pass app, powered by Kuba, combines microtransit with traditional transit services to create a unified platform for riders. In collaboration with MV Transportation and Spare Labs, this initiative provides flexible transit options for the same fare as local bus or rail services.
How does Kuba support microtransit?
Kuba enhances microtransit services through a growing number of partnerships with mobility technology providers. By supporting full integrations with multiple service providers, such as RideCo and Spare, our mobile platform allows agencies to expand beyond public transit and offer multiple mobility options to meet the diverse needs of their communities.
Our collaborative approach and agile technology development puts us in a perfect position to advance microtransit solutions. We are always open to new partnerships with both transit agencies and technology providers.
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