§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passenger injuries per mile travelled occurred within the last year for which figures are available in respect of(a) buses with doors and (b) buses where access is via an open platform. [62517]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe published data for casualty rates are given per billion passenger kilometre travelled on buses and coaches in Great Britain in 1996. These show the following:
Per billion passenger kilometres Killed 0.2 Killed or seriously injured 14 All severities 194 The split between buses and coaches, or between buses with doors and those where access is via an open platform, is not readily available.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the relative popularity of(a) buses with doors and (b) buses where access is via an open platform; [62518]
(2) what assessment he has made of the implications for (a) passenger numbers carried, (b) traffic congestion and (c) bus journey times of the withdrawal of buses where access is via an open platform. [62519]
36W
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Department has made no assessment of the popularity of open platform access buses or the implications of their withdrawal. The type of vehicle used is primarily a matter for bus service providers. They will no doubt carry out their own assessment of the various relevant operational and commercial factors, including customer reaction and the types of vehicles currently being manufactured. The Government are committed to public transport being fully accessible, recognising the need for future generations of buses to be usable by disabled people, including those who travel in wheelchairs.