Exploring Microtransit Adoption and Its Impacts on Transportation Access for Underserved Populations

Xing, Yan; Pike, Susan; Waechter, Maxwell; DeLeon, Graham; Lipatova, Liubov; Handy, Susan; Wang, Yunshi · 2024 · ROSA P / National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) (UTC)

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Summary

This study investigates the adoption of microtransit services and their impact on transportation access for underserved populations, addressing a gap in literature regarding how these technology-enabled services support transportation-disadvantaged groups. The research focuses on SmaRT Ride, a microtransit pilot program operated by Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) in California. The authors aim to determine how microtransit improves mobility for low-income individuals, people with disabilities, older adults, and other marginalized groups, while identifying the specific barriers and facilitators influencing its adoption. The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) decomposition model. Data were collected between February and May 2024 through online surveys and intercept surveys conducted at locations serving disadvantaged communities, such as food banks and transit stops. After data cleaning, the final sample consisted of 180 individuals. The study utilized descriptive analysis to assess the benefits of SmaRT Ride and binary logistic regression to examine factors influencing adoption among those aware of the service. The regression model incorporated variables related to socio-demographics, household characteristics, attitudes toward transit, and perceived usefulness and ease of use. Descriptive findings indicate that SmaRT Ride significantly enhances transportation access for underserved users. Over 80% of respondents reported improved ability to reach desired destinations, with 27.9% using the service to connect to fixed-route transit, thereby addressing first-mile/last-mile challenges. The service facilitated access to essential services, with 32% of users traveling for medical care or shopping and one-third for work. Users viewed the service as cost-effective, with 84.4% willing to pay more than the current $2.50 fare, and 76.1% reported sharing rides, supporting environmental sustainability goals. The regression analysis revealed that homeownership, employment status, frequency of public transit use, and attitude toward transit significantly affect microtransit adoption. Homeowners and part-time employees were more likely to use microtransit, whereas households without employed members were less likely, likely due to financial constraints. Regular users of existing public transit and those with positive attitudes toward transit showed higher adoption rates, suggesting microtransit acts as a complementary service. The authors conclude that integrating microtransit with existing transit systems, implementing outreach programs, offering discounted fares, and supporting affordable housing in transit-rich areas can promote adoption among underserved populations. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance transportation equity and sustain microtransit funding.

Key finding

Homeownership, part-time employment, and regular public transit use significantly increase the likelihood of microtransit adoption among underserved populations, whereas households without employed members are less likely to adopt the service.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 180

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• acceptance adoption