The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) have revealed that the current public transport network is inaccessible for 2.8 million people across the country. They believe that by investing in the UK transport network, making it fully accessible for disabled passengers to commute to work, the economy could see a £176 billion rise.
Making the economic case for an inclusive transport network, the IMechE have reported that the current system is inaccessible to almost a quarter of the working-age population. According to the Office for National Statistics’ estimate of an average worker’s annual contribution to economic output of about £63,000, IMechE said helping all of them into a job could add £176.4 billion per year to the national economy.
Highlighting a lack of lifts and ramps at stations, large gaps on platforms, and a lack of tactile paving and sensory-friendly environment, IMechE said people were being shut out of work, education and everyday life.
IMechE’s report said that inaccessible buses, trains and stations hold back growth, productivity and the UK’s path to net zero. They have estimated that the cost of investing in a fully inclusive rail network would be between £20-£24 billion and have called on the government to consider tax incentives for accessibility upgrades to unlock private investment, and to make inclusive design a core engineering requirement.
Their estimated figure of £176 billion only considers the boost to the economy from an increased workforce, however there are other ways the economy could benefit, including a potential £22.3 billion-a-year boost to retail, leisure and tourism as a result of disabled people taking more trips using public transport to high streets and venues.
IMechE’s report also found that almost half of disabled professionals have turned down job opportunities because of transport issues, and nearly 9 out of 10 disabled people surveyed last year for the House of Commons transport committee said they often or always had difficulties when travelling.
In response to IMechE’s report, Gerard Butler, Chair of CILT (UK)’s Accessibility and Inclusion Forum, said:
“Accessible transport is an economic and social necessity. No one with the skills to contribute should be excluded from opportunity. The report’s recommendations, which include investment, open data, inclusive design and co-creation, provide a practical roadmap for change. Accessible transport also supports Net Zero goals, responds to an ageing population, unlocks the economic value of the ‘Purple Pound’, and reduces long-term costs by making mainstream public transport more viable and reducing the need for specialist services or expensive retrofitting.”