Dr Karen Lucas' presentation from CTA's 05 November online event looking at the issue of transport poverty.

1. Transport, mobility, accessibility,
poverty and social justice
Professor Karen Lucas
School of Environment, Education & Development
The University of Manchester
Community Transport Association
5th November 2020

2. Definition of transport poverty
1. There is no transport option available that is suited to the
individual’s physical condition and capabilities.
2. The existing transport options do not reach destinations where
the individual can fulfil his/her daily activity needs, in order to
maintain a reasonable quality of life.
3. The necessary weekly amount spent on transport leaves the
household with a residual income below the official poverty line.
4. The individual needs to spend an excessive amount of time
travelling, leading to time poverty or social isolation.
5. The prevailing travel conditions are dangerous, unsafe or
unhealthy for the individual.
6. There is insufficient participation in transport decision-making
and access to legal redress

3. Who is the most affected?
Transport poverty is in roughly line with income poverty:
– ¼ of all UK households still do not have regular access to a car –
60% in 2 lowest income quintiles
– ½ UK population (45 million) cannot/don’t drive (67% of all job
seekers)
– Women, children, old people, young people and minority
populations are most affected
– People rural and peripheral areas and in deprived areas are
worst affected

4. Providing access to
opportunities
Map of accessibility to jobs within 45 minutes by public transport
57% of working age population live
in areas with low public transport
access to jobs (5000+) and 24%
are also in areas of high
deprivation
Source: Analysis by Jeroen
Bastiaanssen 2018 – for GOS Future
of Mobility Report

5. Regional differences
Great London West Midlands Greater Manchester West Yorkshire
Based on a composite indicator of i) expenditure on fuel, ii) income levels, iii)
walking and public transport accessibility to key services
Source: Analysis of MOT data by Giulio Mattioli and Ian Phillips, 2018

6. Who most benefits from community
transport?
• Local communities
• Carless and single car households
• Vulnerable social groups
– Older people
– People with disabilities (physical and cognitive)
– Hospital and social care patients
– People with long-term illnesses
– School children
– Jobseekers
– Single parents
– Rural residents
– Shift workers

7. Interactions between transport
poverty and social disadvantage

8. For more information
…
karen.lucas@manchester.ac.uk
Twitter: @drkarenlucas
https://www.research.manchester.a
c.uk/portal/karen.lucas.html