Transport-Related Social Exclusion Amongst Young People in the North of England - Report

What is it?

This report explores how transport affects young people’s access to opportunities across the North. It focuses on people aged 16 to 29, using travel diaries, interviews and focus groups to capture real experiences, particularly in rural areas.

How is it useful?

It helps combined authorities and partners understand how transport affects young people’s independence and life choices. Use it to design services, target investment and build stronger business cases that improve access to education, jobs and social opportunities.

Key findings

• Around 2.95 million people in the North are at high risk of transport‑related social exclusion
• Transport access shapes what opportunities feel realistic or achievable
• Driving often becomes a necessity for independence, especially in rural areas
• Public transport is seen as unreliable, fragmented and time‑limited
• Planning journeys can require significant time and effort, affecting independence