As transportation needs evolve, Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) is emerging as a key solution to bridge gaps in traditional transit systems. In Canada, municipalities are increasingly turning to flexible, on-demand transportation to enhance mobility and improve access to public transit.

Several municipalities have successfully implemented DRT services, demonstrating the potential of these flexible transit solutions:

• Fort Erie, Ontario: The town launched an on-demand transit service, replacing fixed routes with a more adaptive and efficient mobility model. A case study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that the shift led to cost savings, reduced emissions, and increased ridership satisfaction
• Barrie, Ontario: As of May 1, 2024, Barrie expanded its Transit on-demand service to five zones, replacing low-ridership fixed routes with a more flexible system. This marks a major step in Barrie’s New Transit Network strategy, aimed at improving coverage across the city.
• Durham Region Transit (DRT), Ontario: In 2023, Durham Region Transit integrated microtransit, fixed-route, and paratransit services into a unified network, optimizing resources and boosting ridership. This fully integrated approach serves as a benchmark for future transit models.