Linking Loyalty Card Data to Public Transport Data to Explore Mobility and Social Exclusion in the Older Population

Ffion Carney

doi:10.3390/su13116217

Abstract

Inequalities in the provision of public transport and the accessibility of both public transport services and key facilities can impact wellbeing and increase social exclusion. This study explores the relationship between the provision of public transport services, mobility and social exclusion by utilising loyalty card transaction data to estimate the activity spaces of the older population in the West Midlands (England) metropolitan area. Bus time table data were used to calculate bus service provision and travel times to retail areas. Regression analyses were then used to quantify the impacts that the provision and efficiency of public transport services have on the area of older cardholders’ activity spaces. The provision of public transport services was found to have a significant impact on the size of these activity spaces, along with several sociodemographic variables, including age, deprivation and health. The results suggested that access to reliable public transport increased the mobility levels of the older population and allowed for a wider range of retail opportunities to be accessed. Inequalities in the provision of public transport could therefore exacerbate the wider social issues that affect some of the most vulnerable groups of the population.

Highlights

Mobility has long been linked to quality of life, with numerous studies showing that limited mobility can have a direct impact on health and wellbeing, most notably when this results in a lack of physical activity or restricts social interactions [1]
The independent variables related to economic wellbeing and health
This study explored the potential for non-transport-related consumer data to provide insight into the mobility of the older population and their demand for services

Summary

Introduction

Mobility has long been linked to quality of life, with numerous studies showing that limited mobility can have a direct impact on health and wellbeing, most notably when this results in a lack of physical activity or restricts social interactions [1] Access to transportation, both public and private, is vital for individuals to maintain high levels of mobility. The potential negative impacts of a lack of public transport access have meant that achieving an inclusive transport system that is accessible for the entire population is a fundamental element in tackling the many wider social issues that affect some of the most vulnerable groups of the population This has become a major policy goal for many local transport authorities and operators throughout the UK. Accurate study of these activity patterns can help us to understand how they are shaped by the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of residents, the availability of public transportation and the accessibility of key facilities

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion