This paper discusses some proposals and projects for transport for elderly and disabled people in Poland. Between 1980 and 1990, a target model was proposed for public transport, to (1) provide generally available and adapted public transport to meet the needs of unaided passengers and wheelchair passengers; (2) organise special public transport services for mobile elderly people and handicapped people; and (3) establish special door-to-door services, mainly for people who cannot leave their homes unaided. As it is not yet feasible to implement this programme, interim solutions are being sought. The following two recently started projects are described: (1) the assembling of Volkswagen Transporter minibuses with Transporter minibuses with MBB lifts; and (2) prototype production of two buses and one minibus, each with a hydraulic lift. Experience suggests that it is impracticable to incorporate buses with lifts into regular bus services, because use of these lifts drastically slows down the services. Use of door-to-door minibuses with lifts is being explored as an alternative. Such measures should complement adaptations of public transport to the needs of people with many types of disability, so that they can use them unaided as often as possible.
Samenvatting