Title

Examining the empirical evidence of transport inequality

Document Type

Edited Book

Publication Date

2004

Subject Area

Location - UK, Location - USA, Transport policy - Disadvantage

Abstract

In order to argue the case for taking a social policy approach to transport, it is important to first gain a better understanding of the inequalities that arise from the present system of transport delivery. This chapter presents the statistical and qualitative evidence for this in the UK and the US. It should be noted, however, that distributional inequities in and of themselves do not necessarily justify the need for social policy intervention. It is generally accepted that such intervention is only appropriate where the welfare of citizens is already (or may become) undermined. With this in mind, the later sections of the chapter examine the evidence for this with particular emphasis on the effects of transport inequalities on people’s ability to access the key activities that are considered essential to the welfare of citizens, namely employment, education and training, healthcare and social, leisure and cultural activities.