Research in the Community: Not on the Buses
Research by the University of Bristol, in collaboration with community group Room 13, highlights the effects of “bus immobility” on children living in one of the most deprived areas of the city, and provides the evidence to challenge bus and transport policy in Bristol and beyond. The situation has been compounded by Coronavirus and a triple lockdown. As social inequality and isolation increases, the government's plans for the country's recovery need to ensure every child in the UK gets access to free bus transport.
My family don’t own a car and the bus fares are so expensive. Lots of people can’t experience everything their city centres offer. Some children have never been into them, yet they only live a few miles away. How can children grow up and enjoy their cities if they can’t get around them? And is it fair that some children can’t do this at all? Why can't bus travel be free for all children?
-
The Research
The research and nearly twenty years of Room 13 experience in the city has found that poorer children and young people cannot afford to use public transport and have no choice over whether or not to travel. Many children and young people rarely leave the streets around their home. This lack of access to public transport impacts children’s lives hugely. Children facing economic disadvantage, whose families do not have access to a car, have very little access to active leisure, arts, culture or learning if they cannot afford public transport. The social effects of the Covid pandemic have often increased the impact of the virus on children’s lives, exacerbating disadvantage, poverty and isolation, decreasing life chances.
-
The Call to Action
Last November, the government outlined the need to boost transport connectivity and unveiled a £4 billion 'Levelling Up Fund' for investment in infrastructure – and initiative designed to ‘level-up opportunities for those living in all corners of the UK, so all get their fair share of future prosperity.’ Children and young adults in London can currently travel on public transport. In Scotland, free bus travel for under 19s is set to be rolled out this year. We want the government to deliver on its commitment to ‘levelling up’ the playing field and commit to free bus travel for all children and young adults. Find out more at change.org (add link)
-
The Partners
Room 13 is an independent artists’ studio based run by children and adults together. It is based in Hartcliffe, south Bristol, and is a recognised centre of expertise around children, creativity, collaboration and voice. It regularly works on co-produced projects with other organisations where children’s voice is important. Room 13 was responsible for all the creative engagement and production, with the children producing the campaign film. Room 13 is also a founding partner of the Bristol Child Friendly City initiative. Streets-reimagined also supported the project, undertaking interviews and information gathering.
Research in Action
- Sign: Add link to Change.org
- Watch: Now’s the Time,
- Read: Not on the Buses
For policy makers:
- Policy Briefing: Add briefing when 'live
- House of Commons Select Committee submissions: Add links