Authors

Jess Fritze

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Location - Rural, Population - Parents with young children, Transport accessibility - Lack of access, Transport planning - Accessibility planning

Abstract

This research aimed to document the transport experiences, and suggested improvements to the transport system, for one potentially transport disadvantaged group – young mothers and their children. Focus group interviews and surveys were conducted with 45 young mums from around Melbourne, Albury-Wodonga and Whittington, Geelong. The most significant transport issues identified by study participants related to the physical inaccessibility of the public transport system. The barriers presented by inaccessible vehicles were exacerbated in many cases by policies in some areas requiring parents to fold prams before entering the bus, and by bus drivers failing to provide assistance. These issues in particular were the cause of a great deal of distress, and in some cases, decisions not to use bus services at all. The report recommends four key action to improve transport for young mother and their families.