APP-STR-03 - A public service under deep uncertainty

A municipal service faces uncertain demand for two delivery channels. Its responsible body can reallocate a limited budget but cannot suspend a supplied protected-access obligation. These are example conditions, not legal advice.

STR.3 distinguishes uncertain consequences from a disagreement about whose access may be sacrificed. STR.9 compares service configurations under the same demand conditions; STR.10 preserves the protected limit. A temporary or inexpensive pilot excluding the most dependent users is not made acceptable by its average benefit.

For a separate numerical illustration, assume both A and B satisfy access protection. Their waiting-time estimates across two demand conditions are A: ten and twelve; B: four and sixteen. Minimizing worst waiting time favours A, with twelve instead of sixteen. Maximum regret instead favours B: A’s regrets are six and zero, while B’s are zero and four. Neither rule changes the supplied estimates.

The responsible body must make its actual criterion and choice explicit. Existing evidence may support continuing one channel with a reversible addition; a larger survey cannot decide the protected-value question. STR.12 then names the observation, receiving decision and capable authorized responder in time for a meaningful adjustment.