Microtransit programs can improve local mobility, but they often operate separately from fixed route bus networks. This separation can create gaps in connectivity and reduce the potential efficiency of both systems. This project will study how rider hand off strategies, where microtransit vehicles bring passengers directly to fixed route transit, can strengthen system performance. Using data from CTtransit, microtransit logs, and synthetic demand models, the research will simulate multimodal operations and evaluate how pickup schedules and transfer points influence wait times, travel times, and network utilization.
The project will develop an optimization framework to identify operating strategies that improve rider transfers and increase the efficiency of both modes. Scenario testing will measure the effects of integration on cost, ridership patterns, and service quality. The results will provide agencies with practical guidance on how to coordinate microtransit and fixed route services in ways that improve reliability and expand access to transit. These findings can support broader efforts to enhance mobility in Connecticut and inform similar initiatives in other regions.