Abstract
[Purpose] To determine the current status of welfare-paid transport as a new means of transport for those with limited means of travel, and investigate its role in community-based physical therapy. [Subjects] The subjects were 101 business locations providing welfare-paid transport, and 194 users in Gunma Prefecture. [Methods] A questionnaire survey was distributed to the providers and users. [Results] The results of the questionnaire show that for continuation of service, “cost burden” influences welfare-paid transport providers, and that “reliability” influences the evaluation of the users. [Conclusion] Users highly evaluated welfare-paid transport, and for those with limited means of travel, it could become an important means of transport. However, while the providers recognized its importance, it was clear that they were adopting a cautious stance to expansion of the service.
