Mind the Gap

The current transport system is failing us. We’re calling for a fairer and greener transport system that works for all of society–tackling poverty and inequality while reducing climate emissions.

Transport is about more than just moving people. It’s a lifeline to daily life, work, school, and community wellbeing.

Yet, significant gaps remain in our current system—women, children, disabled people, and low-income households do not have equal access to transport.

These inequities limit opportunities and deepen inequality.

We must create a transport system that proves fair, reliable access while tackling poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis.

We must create a transport system that works for everyone.

For low-income households, transport costs can represent a significant financial burden, limiting access to essential services and opportunities.

In rural areas, limited public transport options exacerbate isolation and economic disadvantage compared to urban regions with more robust networks.

Young people often face challenges related to affordability and accessibility of transport, affecting their education and employment opportunities.

Women and older adults may encounter safety and convenience issues, while people with disabilities often struggle with the inadequacies of transport infrastructure and services.

Addressing these inequalities is crucial for creating a fairer, more inclusive transport system that supports all citizens while contributing to Scotland’s climate goals.

Tackling inequalities – a discussion in Parliament

The Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Sustainable Transport, for which we provide the Secretariat, has completed its examination of transport inequalities in Scotland.

This year-long inquiry brought together expert evidence on how transport impacts low-income households, women and girls, children and young people, and disabled people — culminating in the publication of the final report, Mind the Gap.

This initiative was driven by the intersection of pressing issues: the cost-of-living crisis, the climate emergency, and the need to improve public health.

Find out more about the Group’s work here, or read the report here.

‘Mind the Gap’: New inquiry reports transport system excluding majority of Scots

17 June 2025

A new report published today (Tuesday 17 June) by the Cross Party Group on Sustainable Transport reveals that Scotland’s transport system is systematically excluding many Scots — especially women, disabled…

Transport & disabilities: Who is being left behind in our transport planning?

17 March 2025

The March meeting of the Cross Party Group on Sustainable Transport was the fourth in its series on transport inequalities, this time focusing on the experiences of disabled people navigating…

How transport planning worsens gender inequality: A parliamentary discussion

17 December 2024

Public affairs manager Laura Hyde-White reports on the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group (CPG) on Sustainable Transport’s most recent meeting on ‘Women & Transport’. This December, the CPG on Sustainable…

Transport for tomorrow: How do we make transport work best for children and young people?

10 October 2024

Public affairs manager Laura Hyde-White reports on the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group (CPG) on Sustainable Transport’s most recent meeting on ‘Transport, Children & Young People’. This month, the Sustainable…

How can sustainable transport break the cycle of poverty?

19 June 2024

Transform policy officer Laura Hyde-White reports on the Sustainable Transport Cross Party Group’s latest meeting, which focused on the intersection of transport and poverty. The recent meeting of the Cross…

Cross Party Group

Transform Scotland provides the secretariat for the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group on Sustainable Transport.

The Cross Party Group’s year-long inquiry focused on the transport experiences of various demographic groups to inform what transport policy should look like to ensure all sections of society benefit.

Over the course of four themed evidence sessions, the Group heard from a wide range of expert witnesses — including Public Health Scotland, the Scottish Women’s Budget Group, the Scottish Youth Parliament, Disability Equality Scotland, and The Poverty Alliance — on the realities of transport for low-income households, women and girls, children and young people, and disabled people. Discussions also addressed differences between urban and rural travel needs.

The inquiry found that Scotland’s transport system often excludes those who rely most on public and active travel, with common barriers including cost, availability, reliability, accessibility, and safety. These gaps are contributing to a deeper issue of transport poverty — where people lack access to essential journeys, locking them out of work, education, healthcare and community life.

The Group’s final report makes two headline recommendations:

Define and measure transport poverty, using disaggregated data to identify and address inequality.
Embed fairness in decision-making, through co-design with marginalised groups, equality budgeting, and health impact assessments.

Read the recommendations

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