Paratransit is becoming harder — and more expensive — to operate. Agencies are facing rising demand, labor shortages, and service expectations that continue to climb. At the same time, many fleets are running vehicles never designed for continuous door-to-door service, driving up maintenance costs and reducing reliability.

This playbook brings clarity to a problem every system is wrestling with: how to stabilize paratransit performance while keeping operating costs under control. It breaks down the real drivers of cost, the impact of vehicle choice, and the emerging role of small transit buses (Class 3–4) in building more resilient, predictable service.

Grounded in real operational realities, this guide helps agencies rethink fleet strategy, improve rider and driver experience, and avoid the common pitfalls that shorten vehicle life and stretch budgets thin.

What you’ll learn inside:

• The operational pressures making paratransit more expensive — and how to counter them

• Why many agencies are reevaluating the role of Class 3–4 small transit buses

• How vehicle construction, durability, and interior design impact long-term performance

• Practical differences between vans, cutaways, and small buses in real-world service

• A procurement-ready checklist to support better spec writing and faster evaluations

Complete the form to access this essential guide today!