Fixed Route Accessible Bus Service in Connecticut: A Case Study

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15271501981PDFTech ReportNelson, DavidSpano, MarciaShepetin, SethCharles River Association, Inc.United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Office of Service and Methods DemonstrationJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Special Programs Administration. Transportation Systems CenterSahaj, LynnCasey, RobertBradley, RichardBrand, DanielPierce, Diane K.United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationConnecticutAccessibilityCrashesAerodynamic liftAgedBus transitBusesCostsFixed routesInjuriesLevel of serviceMarketingOperating costsPersons with disabilitiesPublic transitPublicityTransit vehicle operationsWheelchair liftsWheelchairsUMTA-MA-06-0049-81-5;DOT-TSC-UMTA-81-38DOT-TSC-1757U.S. Department of Transportation regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, require transit agencies to provide wheelchair accessibility on fixed-route bus service. The study is part of the series which included studies in Seattle, Washington and Washington, DC. The objectives are to report on Connecticut Transit's (Conn Transit) experience with the new service in order to provide information to other systems developing accessible service, and to estimate the costs of providing this service. The document reports on the operating experience of Conn Transit's fleet of 280 Flexible buses equipped with wheelchair lifts. This fleet, purchased in 1979, provides service in the Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford areas. The study analyzes operating data on wheelchair lift boardings and denials; accessible and non-accessible bus schedules; road calls and repairs for all problems and for lifts; lift-related accidents, injuries, and claims; wheelchair lift marketing and promotional activities; service planning and development; and marginal operating and capital costs of accessible service for a three-month period in each of the three operating areas.138