Small vehicles suitable for special transportation service : an inventory of vehicles on the market.

A gradual and methodical alteration in the approach to the organisation of service in the public transportation field has transpired in Sweden throughout the 1980s. During the past decade it has become increasingly apparent that the needs and demands of disparate groups of customers are so diverse that a differentiated system must be employed. One category of customers to which particular attention has been paid in this process is the elderly and other people with impaired physical mobility. The attitude towards Special Transportation Service (STS) has also modified, and it is now viewed as a natural component in the overall proffer of public transport. The entire development has involved the introduction of new vehicles for public transport. A particularly important contribution has been made by the availability of smaller, low-floor buses for Service Route traffic. The new approach, implying the adaptation of public transport has also entailed modifications in traditional (12 meter; 40 foot) buses, and the results is that in Sweden today, we have the following types of service and vehicles that are used by the elderly and disabled: (1) Traditional public transport with minor technical modifications of existing 12 meter (40 foot) buses. Recently, low-floor models have been introduced, and they can be viewed as the best vehicle for this service at present. (2) Service Route traffic using small (8 meter; 26 foot) low-floor buses well adapted to the requirements of the differently abled. (3) Special Transportation Service (STS) employing taxis and/or special purpose vehicles. This means that vehicles used for bus service in densely populated areas will be provided with low floors (ca. 30 cm; 12 inches), at least in the long run. As mandated by Swedish legislation, they must also have a kneeling function that will make the entry level no higher than 23 cm (9 inches). This report provides a market inventory of dual purpose taxi and Special Transportation Service vehicles suitable for Swedish conditions. (Author/publisher)