Many agencies provide transport for their clients: the role of a transport broker is to improve the level of coordination between them. Agencies include social services and education departments in the county council itself, the health authority and voluntary organisations. The broker receives transport requests from staff in participating agencies on behalf of clients, employs a computerised directory of available transport to select a suitable vehicle, then uses specially developed software to make bookings and produce driver schedules showing who is to be picked-up on each journey. The report describes the setting-up and operation of the broker system and is aimed at those who are considering similar arrangements. A full evaluation, including financial and operational aspects, will follow later.
Abstract