Call for greater suburban focus for transport authorities gets keen response

Suburbs need greater policy priority within Government to deliver a "suburban renaissance" including to better connect their increasing numbers of struggling people with jobs in the centre of cities, according to a report.

The report by the Smith Institute highlighting that poverty has become more concentrated in suburban areas that are at risk of 'de-gentrifying' in part due to inadequate transport accessibility, transport authorities took to the media to outline their response. Transport for Greater Manchester says in The Guardian it is running a taxi and mini-bus service to take people in less accessible areas to public transport hubs while the Passenger Transport Executive Group hails discounts for new housing estate residents in West Yorkshire.

The Guardian says that TfGM's aim to improve orbital transport between suburban areas is, "in public transport terms... radical". The Smith Institute report calling for a "suburban renaissance" recommends a focus on bus services as "one of the cheapest and most socially progressive transport policies" to improve access to work. It does add that "changes to existing road configurations" could "make suburbs more accessible".