In a new report, the TUC is promoting a significant increase in investment in public transport.
The report emphasises the Social Benefits of such investment for the whole population, including how this would impact Disabled people. The report found that:
- A 10% improvement in local bus service connectivity is associated with a 3.6% reduction in deprivation.
- Public transport is vital for many people to access employment, education or training.
- An estimated 1 in 10 bus commuters would be forced to look for another job or give up work altogether if they could no longer travel to work by public transport.
- In 2020, one fifth of all households did not have access to a car, rising to 35% of households in the lowest income bracket.
- Households in the lowest income groups have the greatest dependency on bus for their travel with disabled people concentrated in this group.
- A survey of unemployed people found 57% did not have a full car or motorcycle driving licence and depended heavily on public transport for access to employment.
- A 2003 report identified that 31% of people without cars could not access a hospital, 16% of households without cars found it difficult to access a supermarket. Given the extent of bus cuts these percentages are now likely to be even higher.
You can read the full report on the TUC website.
Disability Rights UK Rail Policy Adviser Stephen Brookes said, “The message is one that we at Disability Rights UK have been pushing for a long time, as continued cuts in funding to bus and rail services cause real hardship, isolation and even desperation amongst disabled people.
Millions of Disabled people don’t have the option of using a car; however bad public transport is. We use the bus, tram and rail to get to work, shop, visit friends and family and use health and public services. More ambitious investment in public transport would support us to lead independent lives.”