ABSTRACT
As earlier chapters have shown, the past ten years have witnessed a tremendous growth in the number and variety of transport services provided by voluntary organisations, particularly in Europe and north America (cf Transport Canada, 1986). This research has shown that there are more than 1,500 such projects in the UK alone, including social car schemes, group hire minibus services, vehicle and passenger brokerage schemes, and dial-a-ride operations (Warrington et al, 1987). The common trait to be found in each is a concern for the mobility and accessibility needs of disadvantaged minority groups. The rate of expansion has occurred at the same time as the continuing demise in conventional public transport patronage. Despite these trends, little systematic research on these services has been undertaken (cf Sutton, 1988). To date most research has focussed on technical problems, social policy issues or individual transport operations. Research on their organisational structures and decision-making processes has been conspicuous by its absence (cf Wilson and Butler, 1986).
