Demand responsive public transport (DRPT) is a service that is offered in addition to regular public transport. The idea of this service is that instead of a regular schedule or specific routes, the rides take place on passengers requests. This way the service provider can create a custom schedule on the basis of passenger demands. Customised schedules and routes help optimise the costs of public transport in areas with low-density population.
In recent years, companies that offer ride-hailing platforms have started to collaborate with public transport authorities. Their aim is to complement or even partly replace public transport. With the development of self-driving vehicles, demand responsive public transport might be provided in the future by driverless vehicles.
