Making public transport fully accessible ‘could boost UK economy by £176bn’
Summary
A report says making UK public transport fully accessible for disabled people could add £176 billion to the economy by helping millions find jobs. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers highlights current transport barriers that prevent many disabled people from working or taking part in daily activities.Key Facts
- Nearly one quarter of working-age people in the UK find the transport system inaccessible.
- Problems include lack of lifts, ramps, tactile paving, and sensory-friendly environments at stations.
- Almost half of disabled professionals have turned down jobs because of transport issues.
- About 2.8 million disabled people are partly excluded from the workforce due to these barriers.
- The potential economic benefit of full accessibility is estimated at £176.4 billion annually.
- The cost of making the rail network fully accessible is expected to be between £20 billion and £24 billion over several years.
- Improving accessibility could also boost sectors like retail, leisure, and tourism by £22.3 billion per year.
- There could be an extra £10 billion to £34 billion annually in fare revenue from more passengers using public transport.
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