In 1988 a leading transport consultancy company published the results of a review of Belfast's transportation strategy (cost 1.2 m pounds) and reported that "85% of the area would be accessible to a bus service". The authors had doubts as to the accuracy and quality of the evaluation techniques and to the validity of the conclusion. This research therefore was carried out with the following objectives: (1) to conduct a technical audit of the consultants' work and (2) to relate public transport provision to the quality of life for elderly and disabled people using accessibility analysis, utility analysis and time space techniques. The research showed that only 67% of the area was accessible to a bus service and that over 72,000 people live in "transport deprived areas".
Abstract