Equity in Regional Service Provision

TLDR

Transportation agencies aim to provide equitable public transport, yet the definition of who should be served and what services are appropriate remains unclear. The paper develops a methodology to assess equity in public transportation provision. The methodology identifies need areas using socio‑demographic and economic data, relates need to service access levels, and quantifies equity between need and access. Applying the method to southeast Queensland demonstrates its utility for informing public transport decisions.

Abstract

Most transportation agencies stipulate that an important planning goal is to provide equitable and just public transport services. However, who is to be served and the type of service that should be provided has been ambiguous. This paper develops a methodology for examining equity in the provision of public transportation services. An approach for identifying areas in need of public transport is developed based upon the use of socio‐demographic and economic information. Public transport need is then related to levels of access to service. This approach makes it possible to establish the degree to which public transport services may be considered equitable in relation to need and suitable access. A detailed analysis of the southeast Queensland region of Australia illustrates how this approach may be used to inform public transport decision making.