Integration of paratransit systems with intra-city bus systems, case: Izmir

Urban areas reach growth limits as a result of rapid population growth and internal migration. Due to lack of public transit services, transportation needs of the regions that spread over large areas and have a high density trend covered by paratransit systems. In urban metropolitan areas that reach population saturation, the increasing travel demands impose burdens on public transportation systems, therefore integration and optimization of transportation modes have importance. Even though paratransit systems that are midway between conventional transit and private automobile are unplanned and uncontrolled, have a support for public transportation systems especially in low density and sloping areas. So it is aimed that protecting operational benefits from its nature and making suggestions for integrating of bus transit system and paratransit system. In this study, firstly ?urban growth? and ?urban sprawl? terms that affect occurence of paratransit systems are defined and both terms in relation to transportation and paratransit systems are searched. Secondly İzmir growth process are explained by population, economy, urban planning studies and transportation factors. On the other chapter, development of public transportation systems are discussed in case of World, Turkey Country and İzmir City. Then by, differentness between public transport and paratransit systems and paratransit systems practices in some countries are mentioned. In the last chapter, public transportaion modes and paratransit systems that operated in İzmir Central Urbanized Area are analyzed. Bus transit system?s and paratransit system?s datas are evaluated. Profit and loss structures that belong to bus transit lines are analyzed. Just after, public transit lines are determined for allocating paratransit system?s lines and operational suggestions for integrating of paratransit system and bus transit system are improved. Also, distribution of outputs, are obtained from profit and loss analyze, in İzmir City?s fringe areas are searched. Thus, the region are determined that are operated bus lines at least the rate of profit and allocation for paratransit lines number in highest value. Keywords: Urban growth, urban sprawl, public transportation systems, paratransit systems