This report analyses the effects of reductions in stage carriage bus services in three rural areas as determined by before and after surveys. In one area, the effects on mobility and modal choice were slight, despite bus service changes which improved the ratio of revenue/cost. In the second area, modal changes were recorded, but again without any significant loss of mobility to the former bus users. The third area, where the bus reductions were comparatively more severe, produced both modal change and a fall in mobility. This fall mainly occurred in journeys for social and shopping purposes. Estimates were made of the personal travel costs before and after the service changes in the second and third areas. The problem of placing a value on trips no longer made and trips made by non-vehicular means is discussed but it is concluded that, unless an unrealistically high price is placed on such journeys, the net savings achieved by the operating bus companies well outweigh the aggregate increase in personal costs borne by the former bus passengers. However, while the savings from the service reductions were spread throughout the community, the costs fell on relatively few individuals. Although inconvenience is the best description of the effect of the bus reductions on most individuals, a minority were found who suffered real hardship. (Author/publisher)
Abstract