ACCESSIBLE BUSES - IS THERE A MARKET CASE?

The transport requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will require that future vehicles used on scheduled public services must be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. For privatised bus operators, it is important to understand the market and commercial considerations which will affect investment decisions. These include estimates of the numbers of disabled and elderly people, and the social and legislative factors affecting that sector of the market. The Government has stated that regulations will only be introduced which are operationally and financially viable. Outline estimates are given for the effects on operational costs, and preliminary conclusions drawn. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 888398.