Title

Social exclusion and public transport: rural transport policy initiatives in Northern Ireland

Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2004

Subject Area

Location - Rural, Location - UK, Modes of Transport - Bus, Modes of Transport - Car - Driving

Abstract

This paper considers rural transport policy initiatives with reference to the problem of social exclusion in Northern Ireland. This includes the consideration of recent developments in community transport and policy developments through the Regional Development Strategy and Regional Transportation Strategy as well as the rural Transport Fund for Northern Ireland. Transport deprivation in rural areas has long been recognised as an important problem, but only recently have moves been made to try and overcome the problem. This paper reviews a number of transport initiatives in rural areas. As society becomes more mobile, so people living in both urban and rural areas wish to move around with a minimum of difficulty. The desire to travel is, largely, satisfied in urban areas, but not so in rural regions as a result of the dispersed population here. Although car ownership levels tend to be high, significant transport problems are faced by those many people in rural areas with no access to any mode. This paper uses case studies to illustrate recent policy developments that have resulted in the creation of many forms of community transport. These are forms of transport provided by members of the community in order to satisfy the requirements of those within their community. Initially the need for community transport was developed to meet the needs of the elderly and disabled. As a result of policy developments designed to promote social inclusion schemes are now being developed to meet the transport needs of other categories of users who may experience transport disadvantage to the same degree. These groups include women, the unemployed, single parents, and members of ethnic minorities. Community transport initiatives include the introduction of demand responsive and more localised services in areas inaccessible to scheduled or conventional bus services that may connect with scheduled services to transport people to their final destination.