Lessons learned from Flexlinjen in Gothenburg: Open DRT taking over local Special Needs Services

Transcription

1 Lessons learned from Flexlinjen in Gothenburg: Open DRT taking over local Special Needs Services Presentation at the International Paratransit Conference in Monterey 30 October 2014 Yngve Westerlund YWK 2014 Mobistik

2 Intermediate Public Transport Regular PT Special Needs PT The requirements for special needs services are largely dependent on the accessibility in and to the regular PT-system Intermediate services in this greyzone are often an effective way to solve the conflict between a fast and direct service for commuters and the elderly s need for secure transport and short walking distance Integration of open and special needs DRT services, by coordination of resourses for special needs so the general public can travel along albeit at a higher fare

3 Intermediate Public Transport Flextur/Flextaxi Demand responsive between addresses Flexibus Demand responsive between meeting points Service Route Fixed route, scheduled, between stops Elderly Density (75+/sqkm)

4 Flexlinjen video YWK 2014 Mobistik

5 What has happened since 2003? Following a master plan for the full scale implementation the flexbus service, it was successively introduced in all city districts in Gothenburg. This was completed in 2011 with 40 low-floor minibuses with seats, More recently also Saturday service has been introduced in about half of the city, 10 am - 3 pm. YWK 2014 Mobistik

6 Full Scale Operation since service areas Half million population (urban/suburban) Open to all Week-days 8-16 Saturdays trips/year Local service, few transfers between areas. Some feeder trips to tram and bus for citywide travel.

7 What do the users think? 96 % were satisfied in a 2009 survey

8 DRT in Gothenburg DRT administered by Gothenburg Special Transport (Thousand trips) Medical travel (seated) Flexbus - open users Flexbus - STS eligible users Special Transport Service Source:, City of Gothenburg, FareService annual reports - Special Needs (blue) was reduced to half , mostly due to increased accessibility in the regular PT system - Then Flexlinjen (red/yellow) have made good progress. - Note: Coordination with medical transport was lost in 2007 due to institutional problems. A new government study is underway. YWK 2014 Mobistik

9 Review of Flexlinjen September 2014 Analysis of trips Weekdays and Saturdays: 87 % have special needs permit (FareService) 40+ % use rollators 2 % wheelchair 10 % medical transport Avg. age is 77 years Avg. direct-trip 6-7 min. Avg. travel time 15 min. incl deviations 4 % have > 30 min deviation (need for limit) Avg. operating cost per passenger is $13 Corresponding shared taxi is $17 YWK 2014 Mobistik

10 Review September 2014 YWK 2014 Productive service in most areas, with 4-6 passengers/bus-hour and more cost effective than shared-taxi In a few areas, cost per passengerkm is too high coordinated taxi service would be less expensive The Saturday service is effective and highly appreciated Mobistik

11 Building blocks winning features

12 Solid Users Needs Study in the SAMPO- project Strong backing of academia with long experience of special needs transport and elderly mobility, particularly Professor Agneta Ståhl, Lund University

13 Drivers are a key success factor... Driver continuity gives a feeling of security and comradship for old people. Should be carefully specified requirements in tendering process.

14 Automatic call-back to user min in advance - to verify preliminary pick-up time or to notify of any planned delays due to rescheduling...and meeting-points generously distributed all over the city (< 200 m walking distance) are other important features to increase productivity

15 Stumbling blocks Took long time to convince decision makers (innovative unproven concept) Once the direction was set it was difficult to modify managers rather trusting map than reality Limited take-up, several failed poor copies Need advanced ICT systems and support lack of commitment from involved actors for future development and dissemination

16 Thank you for your attention!!! YWK 2014 Mobistik