Not In Service: A Typology of Barriers Facing Rural Transit Systems 

Abstract

Transit services provide multiple economic, educational, health, environmental, and social benefits. Despite these benefits, rural communities face barriers in establishing and maintaining transit services. Understanding these barriers is a critical step for planners and decision makers to assist in developing solutions. This paper presents the results of a content analysis of rural transit and mobility literature designed to create a typology of the barriers rural communities face in establishing and maintaining transit systems. Seven categories of barriers facing rural transit systems were identified: (1) demographic factors and ridership; (2) socio-cultural aspects of transit; (3) the natural and built environment; (4) local costs of operation and sources of revenue; (5) local governance and jurisdiction; (6) local economic structure; and (7) external funding programs. However, while this typology can inform the planning of rural transit systems, the literature review also revealed significant gaps in our understanding, particularly surrounding the range of rural places in Canada.

Keywords

• public transit
• rural transit
• barriers
• place