Demand-responsive transport

Demand-responsive transport (DRT) almost always requires some or all of the customers to pre-book their trips. This is usually supported by online information to potential customers and/or by extensive printed materials that customers consult when booking a trip (including the telephone number for trip booking). The online and printed information resources are frequently used to present the applicable fares. When the customer books the trip, it usually involves a voice call with a booking agent, during which the fare may be advised to the customer.

The nature of DRT as a social-support and para-transit service means that many customers have their fares paid by a sponsoring program. In some cases, these customers have no knowledge of the applicable fares as they do not have to make any payment themselves. In other cases, the customer may be required to pay a nominal amount or pay the fare of an equivalent regular public transport trip. This means that one applicable fare is shown to the customer, although a different amount is charged to the sponsoring program.

Some DRT schemes operate on a semi-fixed route, always serving nominated stops and having flexibility in between. These may have a mix of pre-booked trips and spontaneous boardings. Spontaneous boardings requiring a deviation may be liable to a surcharge, which must be advised to the customer.