THE PAPER DESCRIBES THE RESULTS OF AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS ON PASSENGER DEMAND AND OPERATORS' REVENUE OF INTRODUCING ONE-MAN OPERATION ON URBAN BUS ROUTES IN GREAT BRITAIN. EARLIER STUDIES HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE INCREASE IN MARGINAL BOARDING TIME ASSOCIATED WITH ONE-MAN OPERATION ON URBAN BUS ROUTES HAS WORSENED THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AS PERCEIVED BY PASSENGERS. THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE HOWEVER THAT OPERATORS' ANTICIPATION OF REDUCED SERVICE QUALITY DETERRED THEM FROM ADOPTING ONE-MAN OPERATION. THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THIS STUDY INDICATE THAT ONE-MAN OPERATION REDUCED PATRONAGE AND REVENUE FOR A GROUP OF 31 MUNICIPAL OPERATORS BY ABOUT 11%. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT OVERALL ONE-MAN OPERATION CANNOT BE JUDGED A COMPLETELY SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY FOR THE UK AND ALMOST CERTAINLY HAS RESULTED IN A NET WELFARE COST.
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