Investing in accessible public transport could unlock £176bn by integrating 2.8m disabled people into the UK workforce
Original framing: “Making public transport fully accessible ‘could boost UK economy by £176bn’” — The Guardian - World
In many non-Western societies, accessibility is embedded in the concept of community care and interdependence. For instance, in parts of Africa and Asia, shared transport systems often accommodate diverse needs through informal, flexible models. These systems challenge the Western assumption that accessibility must be engineered through costly, standardized infrastructure.
The push for accessible public transport is not just an economic opportunity but a systemic reimagining of how societies value inclusion.
By centering disabled voices and adopting universal design principles, transport systems can become more equitable and efficient. Historical patterns of exclusion must be confronted through cross-sectoral collaboration and public investment. Indigenous and non-Western models offer valuable insights into designing for interdependence rather than exclusion. Ultimately, accessibility is a right, not a market calculation, and its realization will depend on shifting power structures and redefining progress beyond GDP.