Transport disadvantage in urban areas comparisons of mobility of vulnerable groups in areas of deprivations within Belfast city

Transport disadvantage can take many forms and affect groups who are particularly susceptible including, low income groups, the elderly, the young, disabled, women, lone parents and the unemployed. Government policy seeks to promote social inclusion and reduce barriers to such groups. However, little empirical evidence exists at local level in Belfast, charting linkages relationships and the consequences of transport disadvantage. This thesis investigates transport disadvantage in five selected census ward areas with varying classification of deprivation according to Government ranking. Travel behaviour is based on the needs and responsibilities of inhabitants of a household both collectively and individually. The methodology, in three stages, set out to collate data using a survey of 937 households in the five case study areas and a series of focus groups in conjunction with in-depth interviews. The variables include car ownership, income, and tenure, levels of access to amenities, healthcare, education and employment. Transport availability and choice for the selected areas are considered, including paratransit taxibus operations, a feature of Belfast for four decades. Barriers do exist for many groups both physical and mental but the findings from the study conclude that habitual or conscious exclusion exists for some users leading to distorted travel patterns and behaviour. The legacy of years of conflict have reduced confidence in public transport and contributed to personal travel using higher levels of car use and dependency. There is evidence to suggest that many travel patterns and trends are habitual, using frequent taxi use for example, and consequently adaptation to other modes may be resisted because of an unwillingness to change. Social and local geographies continue to be a significant influence on travel behaviour in some parts of Belfast despite evidence of increased mobility by communities in other areas.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo