This brief article describes the subsidized special transport programme provided in Calgary for people with physical disabilities. These are: a) the Calgary handi bus association; b) the senior citizen transit pan programme; and c) the special needs taxi service programme. The advantages and disadvantages of the special needs taxi programme are described in more detail, with data on client satisfaction and usage. Potential users of the service are assessed on the basis of medical and income criteria. A "credit card" type of pass allows users to purchase service for $2.00 per ride and have the remaining costs billed to the Social Services Department. It is estimated that approximately 7,000 registered users will take 350,000 trips in 1991 at an average subsidized cost of $7.10 per trip. Clients report a high degree of satisfaction with the service.
Abstract