Social exclusion

An easily accessible, reliable and affordable transport system provides access to work, education and services, and enables social participation.

An easily accessible, reliable and affordable transport system contributes to our life satisfaction and wellbeing in multiple ways. It helps to connect us to friends and family, as well as enabling us to access facilities that support our health, such as schools, colleges, parks, libraries and – more directly – health care centres. 

Barriers to people using public transport vary geographically, and across demographic groups, but they all have the power to make it hard – or completely impossible – for people to access essential aspects of day-to-day life. This can contribute to stress, fatigue, low mood and social exclusion.

The charts in this section explore trends and inequalities in social exclusion and transport.