Since the autumn of 1986 most of the UK has seen the removal of all quantity controls on bus services. The only area that still has quantity control is London. The first part of the short paper examines the situation prior to deregulation. The second part deals with the post deregulation period. The demand for the bus services, level of integration between buses and trains, and accessibility are discussed briefly as are decreases in subsidy costs provided by deregulation. Other factors caused by deregulation, such as the fall in driving standards in the number of new buses being incorporated into the services are commented upon. The effect of deregulation upon services for the disabled are also discussed briefly. Bus operators are incorporating the DPTAC (Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee) features into bus design. These are low cost features such as high visibility hand rails and palm operated bell pushes. The number of accessible buses has increased since deregulation.
Abstract