‘MAPPING TRANSPORT DISADVANTAGE IN EUROPE’ A COLUMN BY STA CHAIRMAN JOSÉ F. PAPÍ

Transport accessibility is recognised today as one of the most important issues to be solved within the next decade, both in the sense of social and/or mobility needs. The accessibility challenge impacts on a number of transport users’ segments (unemployed persons, those with disabilities, vulnerable persons, migrants, children, elderly, low income, etc.), particularly in areas with significant social, demographic and economic differences.

Difficulties associated with access to transport are commonly referred to as ‘transport disadvantage’. In urban areas, this concept is the result of a range of intersecting factors including i) poor public transport infrastructure, ii) a higher proportion of low-income households and iii) the need to travel further distances – often mainly by car – in order to get to places of employment, services and activities.

In this column, featured in Thinking Highways – Issue 1, 2017 (Europe and Rest Of The World), STA Chairman José F. Papí discusses the current situation of public transport accessibility in Europe and the measures that could support decision-makers towards effective and tailored solution.