PARATRANSIT: A KEY ELEMENT IN A DUAL SYSTEM CODATU AFD

PARATRANSIT: A KEY ELEMENT IN A DUAL SYSTEM CODATU AFD

In most large cities in the South, institutional and artisanal public transport are the two components of a dual public transport system. Obeying very different logics, they maintain complex relationships which vary according to contexts. Paratransit public transport, often described as informal or even illegal, is evolving on the fringes of institutional transport systems. It is described as a poorly organized sector, inefficient in terms of operation (duplication of lines, excessive length of lines, overabundant supply of vehicles on certain axes, etc.), and partly responsible for road accidents, congestion and air pollution.

However, he often responds to a request that could not be met in his absence. Paratransit public transport therefore plays a crucial role and we recognize two undeniable advantages: low costs for the public community and high flexibility of services. From this perspective, we can also draw inspiration from services developed in industrialized countries, such as transport on demand, which aim to provide greater flexibility and better coverage of the territory by public transport. Through a review of the literature, this document aims to propose a characterization of the various models of artisanal transport, illustrated by examples of cities which present contrasting realities. The conclusion highlights the complementarities, often overlooked, between these two components of urban public transport.