Transport Measures and Income Inequality: Accessing How Transport Interventions Can Improve Income Equality

This research examines the role of transport problems in income inequality and tries to provide recommendations on which transport policies and interventions would be more effective for improving income equality. The relevant discussions show that problems in the transportation sector in terms of accessibility and affordability could be important determinants of income inequality. In addition, the relevant discussions identified various transport measures and interventions that would increase income inequality. Such measures include larger investments on public transportation modes, the integration of public transportation systems into the major social, cultural, healthcare, and economic hubs, the integration of rural areas to urban centres, and changes in the fare structures. In addition, subsidising the costs of car ownership in rural areas without sufficient public transportation services can be included in the relevant policy toolbox. The empirical analysis displays that there are important transportation problems the UK economy faces. The lowest income level groups and ethnic minorities have lower transport mobility and lower car ownership rates. They use public transportation at higher rates. In addition, the UK ranks low among the EU countries in terms of car ownership. The regression analysis does not produce robust findings between transport issues and income inequality. Repeating the same analysis with more detailed data could lead to more robust findings.