Experience of street level access to buses in the French city of Caen.

This paper describes a pilot experiment on low-floor buses and elevated bus-stop platforms in Caen, France, and analyses its commercial implications. The Setra Kassbohrer S300 low-floor bus was used, two of whose three doors have no inner step. A prototype platform, 28cm above the road, was used, with a bus docking aid, to make access easy for passengers in wheelchairs. The experiment was launched in March 1992 on one bus route, three of whose stops were modified; five buses were used. A field survey was conducted, aiming to: (1) observe passenger flows; (2) record approach and stopping times; and (3) measure gaps between bus and kerb. 17 bus drivers completed a questionnaire, and six of them were and six of them were also interviewed. They agreed that the concept was useful, and hoped to see many more low-floor buses and raised platforms, but they made several criticisms of specific details of the pilot system. Passengers also widely appreciated the street-level platforms, and most local people favoured the trial's concept. The implementation of the system should allow bus-stop operating conditions to be optimised, and help to implement interchanges between bus stops and tramways. There should be benefits for disabled people and passengers in general.