Stockholm's transport for elderly and handicapped: an integrated model

Stockholm's programme of special transportation, administered by the Greater Stockholm Public Transport (SL) is composed of three elements (a) a demand responsive service utilizing commercial taxis for individual trips, (b) a fleet of modified minibuses for routine and repetitive trips, both offering door-to-door service, and (c) continued modification of conventional public transport vehicles and equipment to extend their accessibility for handicapped trip makers. Commercial taxi service is described as the primary source of transportation, with 91 per cent of those eligible being provided with special authorization cards. The user pays three crowns, the current mass transit fare to the driver, and the taxi company is reimbursed by SL at the metered rate. Reimbursement controls associated with the 2500 taxis participating in this scheme are described, and statistics provided on journey details and costs. A fleet of 135 modified minibuses caters for those who cannot or need not use taxis, with three quarters of the trips being associated with home to and from school and clinic journeys. Details of the vehicles, journey schedules and driver training are presented. Reference to public transport accessibility indicates the installation of lifts at all subways, and escalators from street and or ticket levels to station platforms. Financing and costs are discussed. (TRRL)