Reducing dependency on special transport services through public transport

Abstract

One of the official transport policy objectives in Sweden is that all citizens should have access to the transport system. The public sector is therefore required by law to provide special transport services (STS) for those who are unable to use public transport or private car. STS is often provided through public procurement of taxi services. As a response to new legislation in 2000, there have been developments in the public transport sector, making buses, trains and other parts of the system more accessible to people with disabilities. These developments have also been driven by other objectives, such as reducing costs in STS by transferring passengers from STS to regular public transport. However, so far, there is little evidence of the effects of public transport access on STS usage. The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of public transport system design on the demand for STS permits and usage. The main focus is on how different aspects of the general public transport system (e.g. price and supply levels) affect the demand for STS permits and STS usage per permit. In addition, the analysis will control for socioeconomic and geographical variables. It is concluded that the price and supply level of public transport do affect STS travel. Public transport price affects the demand for permits as well as the demand for trips from permit holders. Public transport service level only has an effect on the demand for permits. Keywords: special transport services, public transport, policy, price, service, accessibility, local government, modal shift, mobility