On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:05:57 +0000, Dave A wrote:

I think the economics of accessible buses actually stack up quite well.
There's no additional procurement cost beyond that of replacing aging
vehicles, because new vehicles are low-floor as standard anyway.
Meanwhile, provision of "free taxi rides" was essentially done via the
Dial-a-Ride service, which is extremely expensive (per passenger-km) to
run. Having the mainstream bus fleet accessible to wheelchair users will
*save* TfL money with lower demand for Dial-a-Ride.

Additionally, low-floor buses are much more attractive to customers with
prams, pushchairs and heavy luggage, and so will attract more custom
from those groups, further enhancing the business case.

The economics of step-free access to the Underground are somewhat
different because of the capital cost involved. Given that, step-free
access is usually incorporated into rebuilds that would have happened
anyway, and as with buses, new custom does not just come from wheelchair
users but also from those with prams, pushchairs, luggage etc.

An interesting overview. I'm almost tempted to post this to a non usenet
group to watch it be torn to shreds by the anti TfL, anti low floor bus
brigade but I won't. I'm not sure I could cope with the mental stress
and you won't be able to enjoy the fun ;-)

--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!