How to make Microtransit work. Hint: it's about coverage, not ridership.

Jarrett Walker writes to explain the pragmatic details of microtransit (which the Human Transit author and consultant prefers to call Flexible Transit, as revealed early in the article).
"Flexible transit means any transit service where the route vary [sic] according to who requests it," according to Walker. That means "the common terms demand responsive transit, on-demand transit and 'microtransit' mean the same thing."
So how should communities and transit agencies make flexible transit work as part of a publicly funded transit network? That is, how should transit agencies taxpayers are getting their money's worth when they devote public dollars to flexible transit operations? One of Walker's main assertions might surprise: "flexible transit makes sense only if ridership is not the primary goal of a service."Transit systems balance competing needs of ridership and coverage, according to Walker, and flexible transit is devoted to the latter.
Last year, Walker wrote a series on Microtransit devoted to dispelling notions derived from the novelty of the concept and to cautioning transit agencies from sinking too many resources into the new technologies promising to change the nature of transit.
FULL STORY: What is “Microtransit” For?

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service