Title

Social exclusion from a transport perspective

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Location - Regional, Location - Rural, Location - Urban fringe, Population - Youth, Social Issues - Low Income, Social Issues - Social exclusion

Abstract

Social exclusion from a transport perspective impacts a wide range of people, particularly the young, the old, the poor, the physically handicapped and the sick. This social exclusion is particularly an issue for such people living in remote rural, regional centres and urban fringe areas. Such people do not have access to convenient and affordable transport. This lack of transport denies such people access to a wide range of economic and social opportunities that others take for granted. There are links between transport disadvantage and a wide range of adverse health outcomes, including mental illness, suicide and general poor health. Additionally, such lack of transport access inhibits individuals access to education, training and work opportunities with consequent adverse implications for such individual's ability to improve their own economic situation. Engineers Australia therefore seeks commitments from all levels of government to policy and funding of appropriate transport intervention programs that address the needs of the socially disadvantaged within our nation.