Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)

Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) refers to any form of transport where day-to-day service provision is influenced by users' demands.

DRT services tend to be most beneficial to people with mobility difficulties who are unable to use conventional public transport services and to people living in areas where public transport services are limited. The most recognisable forms of DRT services include dial-a-ride and dial-a-bus services.

Who provides DRT services?

Commercial operators can provide DRT services although the majority of services in Scotland are provided by local authorities and voluntary organisations.

Does Transport Scotland provide funding for DRT services?

From 1 April 2008 as part of the Concordat between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, resources for DRT services are included as part of the block funding allocated to local authorities. The resources for DRT are not ring fenced allowing local authorities flexibility as to how they allocate funding across their range of services taking into account local needs and circumstances.

A Further Review of DRT in Scotland

• A DRT paper "A Further Review of Demand Responsive Transport in Scotland" has been produced by Brian Juffs, Transport Scotland's Senior Bus Development Adviser.
• Brian convened a DRT Forum during spring/summer 2010 to consider the extent to which DRT services could play a greater role in public transport provision and offer a viable alternative to conventional public transport services.
• As a result of the Forum, Brian has produced the paper to raise awareness of the benefits that DRT services could bring to the public transport network particularly in the current climate of financial constraints.
• The paper builds on research -"Review of Demand Responsive Transport in Scotland"- carried out during 2005-2006 by Derek Halden consultancy, the TAS Partnership and the University of Aberdeen on behalf of the Scottish Executive.