Frequently Asked Questions

A mobility study examines, in detail, the movement of people and resources and the safety, connectivity, and efficiency of the transportation network in which they travel. SMART launched the SMARTer Mobility Program in early 2023 to evaluate its fixed route bus system, ADA paratransit service, Connector curb-to-curb service, FAST high-frequency bus service and the current microtransit pilot program to aid in the evaluation and analysis of the transportation options within the region. The SMARTer Mobility Study is the first project to come out of the overall program.

The SMARTer Mobility Study seeks to address crucial gaps in public transportation, particularly for communities where the demand may not be sufficient for regular bus routes but where people still require access to recreational, educational, or employment opportunities. SMART is conducting the SMARTer Mobility Study to identify these gaps and guide decision-making for SMART as it relates to exploring changes to the various forms of transit provided within its service area. The study will aid SMART in ensuring that service recommendations are made with the goal of improving overall efficiency and operational effectiveness in mind.

SMART is analyzing its entire service area (approximately 2,100 square miles) to identify how to best provide transit services to as many communities within the region ]as possible. The type and level of transit services provided in a community may differ based on the amount of demand in a particular area. The study will include extensive public outreach across the entire SMART service area. Public presentations, pop-up events in communities, surveys, focus groups, and interviews are a few of the methods we will use to be inclusive throughout the process.

SMART has already begun making changes to some of its transit services to provide improved mobility throughout its service area. The study will provide additional service recommendations for more changes in late summer 2024. Those changes will be implemented over the following 18-24 months.

Microtransit is a type of demand-responsive shared-ride transportion option . Passengers can request a trip from a location to destination within a predefined zone via a mobile application or other scheduling service. Upon confirmation of the trip, a vehicle will respond to their designated location and provide the trip within a designated time period, usually, less than an hour. Microtransit provides a very flexible and responsive service compared to fixed route bus services, which operate on a set published schedule. Microtransit is a good solution in areas where the demand is less than what is usually required to justify operating fixed-route bus service. It is important to remember that while microtransit operates similar to transportation network companies (I.e. Uber or Lyft) in terms of demand response, it is a shared-ride system, where the vehicle may pick up/drop off other passengers along the way.

You can provide your thoughts, opinions, and observations through multiple methods. You can provide comments through the SMARTer Mobility Study website or by participating in one of our surveys. You can also attend one of the many public meetings that will be scheduled throughout the life of the study. Please check the website for information on upcoming meetings.

The study has multiple phases and will be completed by late summer 2024. There are also special studies that are being conducted to address specific topics that arise throughout the life of the study.

The Program will include initiatives to improve mobility throughout the region, beyond the services provided directly by SMART. This includes connections to other transit providers, as well as other mobility services such as bike and scooter shares.

Stay tuned to SMART’s social media and the SMARTer Mobility Program website for updates on the SMARTer Mobility Program. As documents and presentations are available, we will post them to this website. We will also use the website and social media to announce meetings and other opportunities for you to provide comments.