Title: Changing bus needs in a metropolitan area

Authors: N.T. Cross

Addresses: Merseyside Transport Ltd, Liverpool, UK

Abstract: The implementation of the UK 1985 Public Transport Act has had a devastating effect on bus services on Merseyside. Less commercially viable operations have been axed and often offered for tender. The fare levels of the subsidised services have been set lower than the commercial fares charged by major operators, and created confusion for the travelling public. The instability of operations has had a bad effect on passengers, who need to be provided with a regular, reliable, convenient service at reasonable cost. The advantages and disadvantages of using big, medium-sized and small buses are discussed. The high capital cost of modern buses has made durability essential, which has led to increased weight and running costs. A thriving market for second-hand buses has also been created.

Keywords: buses; bus maintenance; passenger needs; running costs; second-hand buses; vehicle costs; vehicle life; commercial viability; metropolitan areas; UK; United Kingdom; public transport; bus services; bus size; vehicle size; bus durability; second-hand buses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1990.061595

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1990 Vol.11 No.4/5, pp.524 - 528

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article