The transport disadvantaged — community transport or mainstream?

Abstract

This paper is based on a study undertaken for the New South Wales Department of Transport in 1991 to examine the cost of providing transport services for the aged and those with disabilities through the Community Transport program. A sample of Community Transport Projects in N.S.W. country and metropolitan areas was studies in detail and data collected on the costs of operating the modes which they used to provide transport for the aged and disabled. A cost model was then developed to determine the factors which influence the cost per vehicle kilometre for each service delivery based on the data collected. Discussions were also held with users of the service to determine the quality of service provided by each of the modes. The results of this study are discussed within the context of the changes which have occurred in the N.S.W. bus industry as a result of the 1990 Passenger Transport Act which now gives operators greater opportunity to plan services to meet the needs of the market in their local area.