Title: Transport for the disabled in Sweden

Authors: P. Ratchford

Addresses: Principal Contracts Officer, Mersey Travel, Liverpool, UK

Abstract: Since 1979 there has been a Swedish law requiring the gradual adaptation of public transport vehicles and terminals to the needs of the elderly and disabled. The municipal transportation company is responsible for all public transport in Boras. The transport network includes, inter alia, a Service Route network specially adapted to the needs of the elderly and disabled. Routes - which operate daily from 09.00 to 18.00 hours, hourly - are designed to bring buses near concentrations of elderly people. Timetables are planned to give passengers plenty of time for getting on and off buses. In late 1988, Boras had ten Service Route vehicles, each accommodating 20 seated passengers, with room for three wheelchairs. The buses could kneel at front and rear, with automatic ramps at both entrances. Seven routes were carrying over one thousand passengers a day, and covering 50% of their costs. Based on the Boras experience, Service Routes were being put into operation in Stockholm and Malmo. Special features of the Swedish Research Board|s demonstration vehicle are described.

Keywords: access; automatic ramp; kneeling facility; planning; public transport; elderly population; disabled population; Sweden; legislation; bus design; vehicle design; buses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1990.061590

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1990 Vol.11 No.4/5, pp.477 - 482

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

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