Wheelchair Travellers’ Response to Lift-Equipped Bus Operating in a Fixed-Route Transit System

Many cities in the United States have introduced fully accessible buses in their fixed-route transit systems. These buses are equipped with lifts which permits those in wheelchairs to ride the transit system. An initial survey of these changes on vehicle composition in transit service shows that very few wheelchair users have become transit riders. The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the factors contributing to the non-use of lift-bus fixed-route services the wheelchair handicapped. The study is based on a survey of wheelchair users in Westchester County, New York.