Insights from the National Centre for Accessible Transport brings together three years of research and lived experience to strengthen understanding of accessibility across the transport system
As the first World Public Transport Day highlights the role of transport in connecting people and communities, evidence from the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) emphasises the importance of inclusive journeys across the UK.
Launched in 2023 with funding from the Motability Foundation, ncat has established itself as the first national evidence base on accessible transport, bringing together research, lived experience and industry collaboration to build a clearer understanding of how transport systems are experienced by disabled people and where barriers arise across the whole journey.
ncat goes beyond identifying these challenges by developing evidenced based practical recommendations, and actionable approaches that enable organisations to actively dismantle barriers and deliver more inclusive transport systems.
These findings are brought together in ncat’s latest report, which reflects three years of research initiatives examining how accessibility travel is experienced across streets, stations, vehicles, information and assistance.
Evidence shows that accessibility challenges remain widespread and persistent:
- 92% of disabled people report barriers on at least one mode of transport
- 79% travel less often because of those barriers
- 84% experience longer journey times
These findings highlight that accessibility is not defined by any single feature or mode, but by how reliably the transport system works as a whole.
Emma Partlow, Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Accessible Transport, said:
“Transport enables access to work, healthcare, education and social connection, yet our research shows that accessibility remains a whole-journey, whole-system challenge. Barriers arise across streets, stations, vehicles, information and assistance, and when combined, can make journeys difficult or not possible at all.
By bringing together research, lived experience and industry experts, we aim to strengthen understanding of how transport systems can work more consistently for everyone.”
ncat’s research highlights how barriers across streetscapes, infrastructure, information and social attitudes combine to affect confidence, independence and participation in everyday life.
It also highlights the wider social and economic importance of accessible transport. Analysis suggests that reducing barriers to travel could unlock benefits worth an estimated £72.4 billion each year, reflecting the value of enabling more people to travel.
Over three years, ncat has worked with more than 8,600 participants, including over 7,700 disabled people engaged through national surveys and a Community of Accessible Transport panel of more than 3,300 members, ensuring the evidence reflects real journeys and experiences.
Alongside building the evidence base, ncat has supported action through initiatives including:
- the Accessible Transport Charter, developed with Policy Connect
- a Public Sector Community of Practice supporting implementation
- the Scaling Innovation programme, supporting new approaches to accessibility challenges
World Public Transport Day provides an opportunity to reflect on how transport systems support people to move, connect and participate in everyday life.
ncat’s evidence highlights both the scale of existing barriers and the opportunity to improve journeys through more consistent, joined-up and evidence-led approaches across the transport system.
The full report, Accessible Transport: Evidence to Inform Change, Three Years of Research is available here: https://www.ncat.uk/accessible-transport-evidence-to-inform-change
Image descriptor:
A man using a wheelchair, a woman, and a child holding hands walk along a train platform beside a stationary train.
