Maintaining and Improving Rural Transit Supply in an Era of Cost-Cutting Presented by: Matthew W. Daus, Esq., Distinguished Lecturer, City College, University of New York, University Transportation Research Center, Region II James Cooper, PhD, Head of the Taxi Studies Group, Edinburgh Napier University In this session, Mr. Daus and Dr. Cooper will address research completed on the supply of transit services, including paratransit use in mainstream transport provision in rural communities. Evidence will be presented from US and European locations, including the application of a shared transit scheme using a wide range of optimized supply including Demand Responsive Transportation (DRT) and taxi operations. The presentation will also address how the research has demonstrated that bringing bookings and trips together allows authorities and suppliers to reduce costs, effectively maintaining a service with reduced costs, and/or enhancing services.

3. About the authors Dr. James M. Cooper, Head of Taxi Studies, Edinburgh Napier University, UK New York Public Transit Association, Buffalo, NY (June 2011) Current research looking at the effectiveness of rural public transport including taxis in general and specialist service, on behalf of the UK government Technology Strategy Board. Advisor to the Department for Transport, UK; Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland; and National Transport Agency, Republic of Ireland. Director, Accessible Transport Forum, Scotland. Previous Advisor and board member to the DRT transport committee, for the Scottish Government. Founding Member and Director Taxi Research Network. Chair of the Taxi Group, joint committee, Transportation Research Board, Washington DC.

12. New York Public Transit Association, Buffalo, NY (June 2011)