Microtransit to Fill Transit System Gaps in Birmingham

With very little of its residential population or employment centers accessible by public transit, Birmingham is looking to microtransit to potentially reduce single-occupancy vehicles use in the city.

1 minute read

November 15, 2018, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Birmingham, Alabama

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

"The city of Birmingham, AL is looking to begin an on-demand microtransit pilot program," reports Chris Teale.

That news comes by way of a request for proposals issued by the city on November 8. "In the RFP, Birmingham officials note the unique challenges of a city that is still heavily reliant on cars but also struggling with a widening poverty gap," according to Teale.

"The RFP says 62% of households are underserved [by bus and paratransit systems], and less than half of the 163,000 jobs in the city are accessible by transit," adds Teale. "Meanwhile, only 28% of workers live within a half-mile of a transit station."

Monday, November 12, 2018 in Smart Cities Dive

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Outdoor public restrooms with two silver doors and icons for men, women, wheelchair accessibility, and baby changing above doors.

Baltimore Considers Public Restroom Project

The city is starting to develop a plan for adding more public restrooms downtown, where available bathrooms are scarce and historic buildings are being damaged by public urination.

57 minutes ago - The Baltimore Banner

Facade of brick multistory apartment buildings in New York City with fire scapes.

Will New York’s Strict Short-Term Rental Rules Work?

Some owners are reluctant to put short-term rental units back on the long-term rental market, but the number of permitted units has dropped dramatically.

1 hour ago - Stateline

Green painted bike lane on street next to modern mid-rise apartment buildings in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle’s Bike Infrastructure Hamstrings Growth

Design standards that call for minimal road space allocated to bikes are limiting the growth of cycling in the city.

December 4 - The Urbanist

Senior Planner

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Planner II

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Senior Travel Demand Modeler

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.