Introduction

An accessible public transport is an advantage for everyone. Citizens even without mobility restrictions appreciate as much as users suffering reduced mobility a stepless access from all platforms to all vehicle floors. The dispatching time in all stop areas is shorter and enables more comfort and a quicker round trip circulation time on all lines. More comfort, quicker lines, more reliable time tables, shorter waiting times ... a win-win-win situation for operators, citizens and tourists was the result of our experiences in Vienna.

Planning and constructing an accessible environment was one of the most ignored subjects for centuries (Figure 16.1). All over the world we were in a similar situation as after the Second World War a new handicapped movement turned up claiming its right on an equal participation on life. Even if most of the European countries have released technical standards and anti-discrimination acts, the awareness concerning accessibility as an important topic is still growing slowly. Unfortunately antipathy and ignorance is still a wide spread attitude.

The Viennese Model

In 1989 the Vienna Lines (Wiener Linien) were one of the first companies opening their doors to the new handicapped movement by starting a dialogue and comparing their offer with the demand of their user groups. First outcome was a demand and measure catalogue. An action plan separated into short term, mid-term and long-term targets. An example for short-term measures was the use of bigger sized letters and information panels to improve the readability of the visual guiding system. For mid-term projects like the lift retrofitting program financial plans and different solutions according to the local situation in old stations had to be worked out. Long-term projects were the development of new low-floor vehicles for all means of transport (Figure 16.2).