In recent years in Northern Ireland attempts have been made to provide accessible public transport for mobility impaired people. A wheelchair accessible dial-a-ride bus service has been operating since 1992 in North and West Belfast, and a wheelchair accessible scheduled bus service has been operating in East Belfast since 1994. A comparison of both services was undertaken as part of an evaluation of the wheelchair accessible scheduled services to inform decisions on which system of accessible transport provision (if any) should be the focus of future accessibility policy for local public transport. The comparison utilised extensive market research undertaken for both services. The research employed a social cost benefit framework, incorporating the construction of accessibility indicators and the concept of cross sector benefits.
Abstract