Transport Economists’ Group
Formed in 1973, the Group provides a forum for people involved in transport economics to meet regularly and discuss matters of mutual interest. Membership is open to both economists working in transport and all others whose work is connected with transport economics. The aim of the Group is to improve the quality of transport management, planning and decision making by promoting lectures, discussions and publications related to the economics of transport and of the environment within which the industry functions.
Next meeting Wednesday 28 June at 18:00 to 19:30
Alex Smith of London TravelWatch
will speak on
Digital exclusion in transport – “Left behind Londoners”
In this talk London TravelWatch will share their recent research looking at digital exclusion and disadvantage in London’s transport system.
Digital technology is playing an increasingly important role in the way people interact with transport services. Where it once was the default for a paper ticket to be purchased from a ticket office or bus driver, or information for journey planning to be sought from a poster or customer advisor, now people can do this using their phone or laptop. But while this trend can bring many benefits for people, for some it can create another barrier to travel.
This research aims to understand better the reasons people can be digitally excluded or disadvantaged and how they can be impacted. We also sought to identify the scale of the issue, and how the problem can be addressed. The findings suggest that this is an issue that can’t be ignored by the transport industry – 1 in 6 Londoners (17%) who answered the online survey said they had been unable to buy a ticket without a smartphone or internet connection, which had stopped them from travelling. This is equivalent to more than 1.5 million Londoners being digitally excluded from transport.
Alex Smith is Head of Campaigns at London TravelWatch, the city’s independent transport watchdog. The organisation uses evidence to campaign to improve journeys, and advocate for all people travelling in and around London. Her recent work has focused on topics including digital exclusion, personal security and bus priority measures.
To enable us to send you a link with instructions on how to join the meeting, please click on the link below and send us an email before 18:00 on Tuesday 27 June. It will help if you can also include your name and position and whether you are a TEG member.
I wish to attend the June TEG meeting online at 18:00
(Alternatively, email with Subject “I wish to attend the June TEG meeting online at 18:00” to Attendance@transecongroup.org)
We will send you a meeting link approximately 24 hours in advance. When online, the online meeting room will normally be open after 17:45 for 18:00.
We aim to begin the speaker’s presentation promptly at 18:00.
All with an interest in the subject are welcome to attend our regular TEG meetings, whether a member or not.