Tackling child poverty delivery plan 2022-2026 - annex 5: impact of policies on child poverty

Transport – Accessibility and Connectivity

Increase the availability and connectivity of buses whilst keeping fares lower by subsidising operators.

• Income from employment
• Costs of living

Enhanced life chances (e.g. health, wellbeing, capabilities, longer term goals)

Potential size of impact

The policy is targeted at all households. Specific modelling for child poverty has not been undertaken.

Type of impact

Maintaining lower fares has a direct impact on reducing household costs. Increasing the availability and connectivity of buses helps to improve access to work, education, and healthcare for all households, including those in poverty. This can in turn help to increase earnings from work.

Certainty of impact

Confident of positive impact given that people from lower income households are more frequent bus users.

Priority families targeted by policy:

• Lone parents
• 3+ children
• Disabled
• Minority ethnic
• Baby < 1
• Mothers aged <25

The transport availability package is targeted at all households, but the demographics of bus users mean that it will have a greater impact on low-income households. Data from the Scottish Household Survey shows BAME individuals, and disabled people are more likely to use buses.

Tracking progress

The National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan (NTS2) sets out how the strategy will be delivered and the transport child poverty commitments for transport will be captured under the Plan. There are regular updates on NTS2 actions providing detail on how the priorities and outcomes will be achieved, and how they align with wider SG delivery plans, such as the Child Poverty Delivery Plan.