[article] New microtransit service more than doubled ridership in rural regions - Virginia Mercury

One of the biggest challenges to reducing car reliance is figuring out how to provide transportation services in areas that might not have the funding or density to fully support transit modes with fixed routes. A couple of Virginia communities have experimented with microtransit services – on-demand rideshare vans with success.

In addition to helping those who are unable to drive, this might enable more people to reconsider car ownership.

A legally blind veteran can now get out of the house without anyone in his family having to miss work to drive him. A husband and wife living in a homeless shelter, who previously became unemployed each time their work schedules changed, were finally able to hold down jobs long enough to afford an apartment. “It has been a life changer for a lot of people,” said Mountain Empire Transit director Mitch Elliott.