Discretionary Travel / Travel Assistance Schemes provided by WMCA for vulnerable groups including discounted travel

A detailed analysis of the barriers vulnerable / deprived groups face across the West Midlands

Since the 1980s, the WMCA has been committed to providing a range of supported travel activity and policies, which have and are still providing vital services for vulnerable people. However there are a large proportion of susceptible groups across the region who do not meet the policies’ criteria even though they face some form of public transport barrier. It is TfWM’s ambition to provide a fair and inclusive transport network, which supports all, regardless of personal circumstance and ensures inclusive growth, which in turn should bring benefits to the region as a whole. A detailed quantitative study with vulnerable groups 9totalling nearly 1000 people) was undertaken to gain an understanding of how they currently travel, barriers to using public transport, what the barriers are, potential solutions and future aspirations. The study findings will be invaluable in rebalancing TfWM’s existing supported travel policies (which help vulnerable groups). In addition qualitative research was carried out amongst key groups to investigate in more detail transport barriers faced by vulnerable groups and possible solutions.