TITLE:
Integrating Bus Rapid Transit with Paratransit or Feeder Services: A Systematic Review of Approaches and Outcomes
AUTHORS:
Odunayo Olayemi Oladunjoye, Charles Anum Adams, Augustus Ababio-Donkor
KEYWORDS:
Bus Rapid Transit, Paratransit, Integration, Efficiency, Multimodal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Urban sprawl is a critical issue, especially given the rapid urbanization transforming megacities worldwide. As metropolitan areas expand and often overlook sustainable development, the growth of low-density, automobile-dependent communities exacerbates several urban challenges. Residents are usually distanced from urban centers and other essential locations, and their reliance on cars increases due to limited access to efficient public transportation. Improving the efficiency of mass public transit networks is vital, and integrated public transport serves as a foundational solution. This review aims to identify current models for integrating paratransit or feeder services with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) by systematically synthesizing prior research. Three multidisciplinary databases were searched: ScienceDirect, Taylor and Francis, and Transportation Research International Documentation (TRID), focusing on articles published between 2000 and 2024. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant articles, 68 articles were further screened to assess their alignment with the study objective; 17 met the qualitative review criteria. The key themes in public transportation service quality have shifted from efficiency to user satisfaction and perceptions. However, the literature on public transport integration in developing cities is limited. Therefore, studies should prioritize collecting comprehensive data on real-world travel experiences across multi-modal public transportation, with a focus on first- and last-mile access to transit stations. Aligning fare structures among BRT and other public transport modes will be crucial for evaluating the system’s effectiveness. Such studies would yield valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners working to improve urban transport systems.