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Summary of Case Studies
A4.256 The principle behind the selection of Case Studies for consideration was that the list of those selected should be representative of different modes of transport and different types and lengths of journey, and that they should have the potential to be rolled out in different parts of Scotland. This has necessitated a co-ordinated search for examples of good practice in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, avoiding overlaps and duplication, but ensuring that ideas for accessible transport provision were set in contexts ranging from rural environments to cities.
A4.257 For example, three variations of demand responsive transport have been included in the recommended list of studies. Two of these serve rural areas of Scotland - Strathclyde Passenger Transport's Ring 'n' Ride service is available to all members of the public who wish to travel to places that are not currently served by mainstream public transport services, whilst the five Dial-a-bus services described in Aberdeenshire are intended to improve the mobility of older and disabled people. These might be compared to Bristol's dial-a-ride service, which operates within a city of over 500,000 people, which is broadly equivalent in scale to that of Glasgow.
A4.258 Similarly, improving the accessibility of taxi services for disabled people is examined in the contexts of both a rural and an urban environment, with studies of Kirklees MBC's taxi voucher scheme for making this mode of transport more affordable, and West Lothian's rural taxi service, "Carlink". Dundee's Local Transport Strategy is reviewed in the context of the ways in which the Council has promoted social inclusion, the reduction of car dependency, the provision of information on alternative modes of transport and the creation of a safe and attractive pedestrian environment, whilst Victoria Coach Station, in London, provides an example of the accessibility features that might be incorporated into a major urban transport interchange. The list of case studies also features two alternative schemes for improving the mobility of people with learning disabilities, namely Warrington Borough Council's scheme which includes the provision of a special travel wallet and electronic key fob that can be used to access information, and the visual mapping training initiative run in Montrose by the Angus Transport Working Group. Case studies have also been made of two unique schemes that feature important aspects of the travel needs of older and disabled people. These are the Transport Matters service, which provides travel information and support for disabled people in Bedfordshire, and the Scootability service, which provides a loaned electric mobility scooter for older and disabled residents of the London Borough of Camden.
A4.259 The studies listed above have been assessed using a common methodological framework, which has included consideration of the type of geographical area and population served by each scheme, the type of trips facilitated, the extent to which each scheme is part of an overall strategy for improving the mobility of older and disabled people, and the evidence that exists for measurable outcomes on people's lives.
Case Study Write-ups
A4.260 The following structure was used for each of the case studies:
- Nature of Case Study
- Area and Population
i.e. rural / urban, city / town - Type of Trip
i.e. short / long distance, shopping / leisure trips etc. - Ridership / Frequency of Use Data
- Parties involved in Planning, Funding and Operation
- The Extent to which the Scheme is Part of a Co-ordinated Strategy for Improving Accessibility
i.e. Pose the question of whether the scheme, or example of good practice, would continue if the person in charge of the scheme were to leave; is there evidence of a willingness elsewhere in the organisation (i.e. in the upper echelons) for the scheme, and similar initiatives, to continue ? - Costs and Subsidy Required
- Data on Trips Facilitated (that were not otherwise possible)
- Evidence of Measurable Outcomes
Incl. cross-sector benefits - User Feedback
- Transferability
i.e. What is the potential for the good practice example to be transferred to Scotland (or, in the case of Scottish examples, to other locations in Scotland) ? For non-Scottish examples, which towns / regions might be analogous to the location of the example identified ?
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