transport Public ‘vital for poorest’

THE TUC is calling for a big increase in funding for bus and rail services after a report revealed their crucial role in getting people to work.

Research by the body that represents most trade unions found one in 10 bus users would be forced to either look for another job or give up work altogether if they could not travel by public transport

Their report also found: n In 2020, one fifth of all households did not have access to a car, rising to 35% of households on the lowest incomes n Households with the lowest incomes have the greatest dependency on buses for their travel, with disabled people concentrated in this group n A survey of unemployed people found 57% did not have a full car or motorcycle driving licence and depended heavily on public transport for access to employment