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4 RURAL TRANSIT SERVICE TYPES <br />Typically, fixed-route transit service is best suited for areas with sufficiently high population and <br />employment density to provide adequate ridership to sustain the service. In rural or suburban <br />areas, like much of Orange County, frequent fixed-route service may not be the most effective <br />method of service delivery. Instead, multiple service types may be appropriate depending on the <br />density of population and jobs, the distribution of community services, and potential connections <br />to surrounding areas and transit services. <br />Rural transit service cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach; certain strategies will be more <br />effective under certain circumstances. Providing a mix of service types to address specific needs in <br />the community may be the most effective way of providing robust rural service while constrained <br />by the limited financial resources. A variety of rural transit service types are described in this <br />chapter and summarized in Figure 4-1. <br />Figure 4-1 Rural Transit Service Types <br />Service Type Description <br />Fixed-Route Regularly scheduled service on a dedicated alignment, operated by a larger <br />transit vehicle <br />Demand Response/Dial-a-Ride On-demand service that typically requires a reservation to ride and is <br />operated by a smaller van or cutaway vehicle <br />Flex/Deviated-Fixed Route Regularly scheduled service on a dedicated alignment that may make <br />deviations to pick up passengers who call ahead <br />Zone Service Demand response service that operates within specific areas, during certain <br />times, and/or certain days of the week <br />Van Programs Vanpool or community van programs that are leased to individuals, non- <br />profits, or government agencies to provide commute transportation or <br />access to community and social services <br />Worker/Driver Programs Commute service in which an employee is trained as a bus operator to <br />transport other employees to and from their employment site using an <br />agency vehicle <br />Volunteer Driver Programs Volunteer drivers provide transportation services in the community and may <br />be paid directly by the users or may be reimbursed for mileage <br />Transportation Vouchers Transit agencies provide receive transportation vouchers to subsidize the <br />cost of transit, paratransit, or taxi services <br />Ride Share Partnerships Passenger subsidies with a ride share or local taxi company <br />