Traditional measures of transport service performance emphasise the financial aspects including viability, cost-recovery and productivity. These measures are appropriate where services aim to meet single goals such as profitability or minimum cost. Special needs services for the mobility handicapped have multiple objectives and measures of performance need to reflect this. The paper draws upon experience of a variety of modes in the UK and elsewhere to compare and contrast indices of efficiency and effectiveness. The latter are derived from the scheme objectives and related to user needs. The methodology includes consideration of the measurement of the user benefits with reference to social benefit analysis and the type of data required to perform a full economic assessment. Examples include demand responsive services, semi-fixed route services, subscription services and accessible buses. (A)
Abstract