This report provides some information about the practical operation of the Harlow experimental dial-a-bus service. Demands upon the control arrangements and the response of the system are analysed in considerable detail, and some more general operational statistics are also reported. The system is found to be coping comfortably with the present level of demands upon it. A good quality of service is evidenced by prompt attention to requests, accurately estimated pick-up times, a high level of doorstep service, and reasonable journey times. Without further study it is not possible to predict the effect of increased demand on the service level, nor is it possible to calculate the maximum capacity of the present control arrangements. (Author/publisher)
Abstract