Introducing on-demand public transport services to Perth

A significant barrier stopping many people catching public transport is how they will get from their transport stop to their home or final destination – often referred to as the ‘last mile challenge’.

There are several ways the last mile challenge is being addressed around the world, from delivering a well-connected public transport network to introducing modes of on-demand public transport.

The New South Wales State Government has been trialling on-demand options as part of its public transport network for several years through Transport for NSW.

This type of on-demand model can provide flexibility and convenience of travel for people looking to connect to nearby public transport modes.

On-demand services can be particularly useful in lower-density areas like the suburbs of Perth, because they travel only when booked.

By using smaller vehicles, on-demand services can also navigate smaller street networks and other areas where larger vehicles, such as buses, find it difficult to navigate.

According to Transport for NSW, on-demand services in Sydney have proven to be an

effective transport mode for the customer’s

first and last mile, connecting them between

their home and their local transport hub outside walking distance, reducing the need for private

car travel.

Like the trackless tram options I discussed in my column last week, on-demand transport options could certainly be part of the solution to making Perth a more connected city, in conjunction with the State Government’s Metronet rollout and other mid-tier transport options.

Via is a company addressing the last mile challenge through their on-demand microtransit services in Sydney and around the world.

Via Asia-Pacific Regional Manager Ben Hague said to address the first and last mile challenges, Via’s microtransit services created virtual bus stops for passengers, which allowed a certain geographical area to have hundreds of flexible potential pick-up and drop-off locations.

The virtual bus stops also mean vehicles can get closer to riders’ destinations while not requiring circuitous routes, since a vehicle is only dispatched to the stop when there is a prescheduled or on-demand booking.

There are so many exciting options emerging around the world, as innovation and technology continue to provide a range of new ideas for transporting people around their neighbourhoods and cities in more efficient and sustainable ways.

The key will be in private industries and governments working together in a positive way to deliver the best options for our community now and in the future.