Accessible Public Transport in Rural Areas (APTRA)

Objectives:

• To improve quality of life in remote rural areas for those unable to lead a full and independent life due to lack of accessible public transport.
• To design an appropriate accessible public transport system for those with cognitive, sensory or mobility impairments and especially for older people.
• To test this system in practice.
• To provide guidance to planners of public transport systems.

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Study Area:

Location:	12 villages around Kirkby Stephen (in Upper Eden Valley).
Population size:	3,227 people on the electoral roll
Population density:	0.6 persons/hectare (average)
Age profile:	21% of population of pensionable age > 40% lone pensioner households in 8 of the settlements
Public transport pre-project:	10 settlements not served directly by any bus service 60% of pensioner households were "forced car owners"

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Map of APTRA service:

Characteristics: Extensive public consultation before service finalised Fully accessible low floor bus Service enters each village Operates 6 days per week Frequent: 3-hourly from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm Hail & Ride and formal bus stops Accessible information and helpful drivers Drivers all have disability awareness training Local bus company known to the community Usage: Currently averaging about 280 trips/week 42% of trips are for social purposes 40% of trips by young people; 21% by people over 59 18% of trips are commuting journeys 18% of users like the bus route close to their home 62% of users making more trips because of the bus 41% of passengers use the bus instead of a lift by car 29% of passengers use the bus instead of driving

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Vehicle: We specified a vehicle as near as possible to current DPTAC standards for large low floor buses: Low floor (step-free) - entry height: 240 mm Wide doors front and rear High visibility hand holds and stanchions Induction loop Many bell pushes Overall exterior dimensions: 6.6 m x 2.2 m 13 passengers including up to 2 in wheelchairs Public Participation: Close involvement with national & local authorities Consultation with the local community at parish and public meetings Education: working with local secondary school Succession: Community Management of the bus service by a new company limited by guarantee Future: further public participation in the ELIXIR project to start August 2000 (also EPSRC funded) Information: Accessible - tactile maps, braille, audible timetables Basic maps and other information are easy to read.

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Research Team: Ian Brown, Nick Tyler

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