Title

The travel choices and needs of low income households: the role of the car

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2009

Subject Area

Location - UK, Modes of Transport - Car - Driver, Modes of Transport - Car - Driving, Social Issues - Low Income

Abstract

This report presents the findings of a qualitative study conducted for the Department of Transport by NatCen. The objectives were to explore: Those factors that influence low income households' decision making about how, when, where and why to travel by car; The role access to a car plays in supporting low income households' access to key services, social networks and life opportunities; and The priority given to car-related costs in low income household's budgets and the potential impact of a reduction in income or an increase in costs. The study had two stages. The first stage involved 15 focus groups with a range of income groups. the second stage involved 44 in-depth interviews which focuesed specifically on the perspectives of low income households. People in the focus groups were selected through a household screen while those who took part in the in-depth interviews were selected from people in the National Travel Survey (NTS). People were selected according to quotas set to ensure appropriate diversity across age, sex, geographic area, economic activity, caring responsibilities, access to cars and the numbers of drivers in households.