Economic Evaluation of On-Demand Transport Services: Tools and Strategies for Financial Sustainability

Fabio Antonialli () and Sylvie Mira-Bonnardel ()
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Fabio Antonialli: École Centrale de Lyon
Sylvie Mira-Bonnardel: École Centrale de Lyon

Chapter 5 in Customizing Public Transport, 2026, pp 73-94 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The economic sustainability of demand-responsive transport (DRT) and autonomous mobility on-demand (AMOD) services remains a central challenge for public transport authorities worldwide. Despite rapid expansion (exceeding 1000 DRT projects by 2023), most services operate at a limited scale and low ridership. This chapter addresses these issues through two complementary approaches: systematic evaluation and strategic operational design. The first introduces the .MOBI tool, developed under the ArtMED project, which provides a web-based framework for assessing the economic performance of on-demand mobility. Using the total cost of mobility model, it integrates capital, operational, and external costs with revenue projections to deliver key indicators such as cost per passenger-kilometer and net present value for the service. The second part explores strategic levers for financial viability, including cost reduction through optimization and scaling, revenue enhancement via targeted service integration, and technology-driven efficiency supported by equitable governance. Drawing on recent research and real-world examples, the chapter demonstrates how data-driven evaluation, adaptive governance, and inclusive design can transform pilot DRT schemes into sustainable mobility solutions aligned with the principles of accessibility and social equity.

Keywords: Demand-responsive transport; Autonomous mobility on-demand; Economic evaluation; Total cost of mobility; Fleet sizing; Public transport sustainability; Algorithmic optimization; Transport equity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:trachp:978-3-032-22295-4_5

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-22295-4_5

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