Essay On Local Public Transport

886 Words2 Pages

It is a recognized priority of Metrolinx to ensure that local transport networks, and local public transport establishments, meet two fundamental objectives: to help build growth in Toronto and Hamilton’s economy, and to tackle climate change in those areas by cutting carbon emissions. Local public transports have wider benefits than purely providing low carbon access to jobs. Studies into the impacts of local public transport have shown that a wide range of social groups benefit from access to local public transport primarily in the usage of separated bike lanes, and bus only lanes. The degrees of social benefits and costs associated with transport certainly vary depending on different social groups. Certain social groups in the GTHA have a higher tendency to use public transport due to factors such as a person’s social economic and demographic background, physical mobility or financial status.

The following social groups recognized in this report have potential in benefiting from separate bike and bus lanes:
• Low income families or people of unemployment
• People who have disabilities (physical limitations or mental wellbeing)
• Older people, involving retired people (aged 60 and over) or older working aged people (aged over 55)
• Younger people and children, including younger adults aged 16-24
• Women and single parents

4.4.2 Low Income Families or People of Unemployment

Individuals or families who live on low incomes, unemployed individuals and other applicants of health and work-related aids are particularly reliant on local public transport services. Bus travel is mainly significant to people on low incomes. The costs of public transport can be a particular difficulty for people on low incomes, but lack of available se...

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...austrophobia where public transport is crowded due to high demand. People with learning disabilities such as dyslexia may have problems reading timetables or signage correctly.

The major benefits for disabled people are:
• Access to employment
• Access to healthcare facilities
• Access to shops, services and amenities
• Less risk of social and economic exclusion

4.4.6 Conclusion

There are several social groups who benefit from separate bus and bike lanes in the GTHA. Amongst those discussed in this section, the most significant benefits are likely to occur to individuals on low incomes, elderly people, younger people and to a slightly lesser extent, disabled people. There are clear areas of overlap between many of these social groups, with the main common denominator being the trend towards non-car ownership. There are both direct and indirect benefits to adding

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