THE POTENTIAL FOR POSTBUS DEVELOPMENT

The number of postbus services operating in the UK expanded considerably during the mid-1970s, but a number of introductions has subsequently diminished. This report describes a theoretical study of the way in which the potential for postbus development is influenced by the post office criteria for services and by other related factors. The study concentrates on the extent to which existing mail arrangements are, or could be, suitable for passenger carrying. Postal vehicle movements at three selected sites within the South eastern postal region were considered, and it was found that, in theory, 21 of a sample of 29 individual local areas could be served by a postbus with either no changes, or only minor alterations, to existing mail arrangements. Costing of some of the theoretical possibilities reaffirmed that the postbus can be one way of providing a basic rural public transport service at reasonable cost. Of the other factors influencing developments, low demands and staffing considerations are not thought to be major inhibitors, more important are the requirement of the post office to avoid competition with other public transport operators, and institutional factors related to funding provision and to post office terms of reference in this field. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • WATTS, P F
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 13 p.
• Serial:
  • TRRL LABORATORY REPORT
  • Issue Number: 1091
  • Publisher: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transit; Buses; Costs; Financing; Institutional issues; Planning; Postal service; Public transit; Rural areas; Subsidies; Travel demand
• Uncontrolled Terms: Complaints
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Bus services; Postal bus
• ITRD Terms: 224: Cost; 244: Financing; 143: Planning; 744: Public transport; 328: Rural area; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391954
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Report/Paper Numbers: LR 1119 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1985 12:00AM