Women are much less likely to have access to their own private transport than men. This means that women depend much more on public transport, and are at an economic disadvantage to men.

The accessibility of education, training, work and childcare provision and the cost of public transport are factors in determining women’s participation, especially in rural areas. The economic disadvantages of lack of access to transport are compounded by the impeded ability to access basic services and social isolation.

Feedback from NIRWN members clearly indicates that transport provision varies greatly across the region depending upon where you live, and often provision is linked to the school terms, resulting in no service during holidays.