Dial-a-ride and fixed-route transit options are some of the ways that microtransit services have traditionally been implemented in rural areas. App-based booking and dynamic routing are among the newer offerings transit agencies are exploring to provide greater flexibility and more spontaneous options for users.

TCRP Synthesis 178: Microtransit Solutions in Rural Communities: On-Demand Alternatives to Dial-a-Ride Services and Unproductive Coverage Routes, from TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program, provides a comprehensive overview of rural microtransit operations through a literature review, surveys of 19 transit providers, and case examples of seven agencies. High customer satisfaction and improved service efficiency were frequently cited as benefits of microtransit solutions.