Ridership continues to grow for microtransit services in Gloucester County and Wise County/City of Norton following completion of a pilot program showing the effectiveness of on-demand transit services in these two rural areas, according to a release from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

On-demand public transit, also called microtransit, allows people to book rides in real time through a mobile app or by phone call. Transit agencies send an available vehicle, usually a small van or shuttle, to pick up and drop off riders at their desired destination within a designated boundary.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation secured a $160,930 grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Integrated Mobility Innovation Program to test rural microtransit services with the goal of expanding transit access and improving operating efficiencies for transit agencies.

DRPT partnered with Bay Transit in Gloucester and Mountain Empire Older Citi...