1. The value of public transport for community wellbeing
Stuart Locke, University of Waikato
Bridget Burdett, Traffic Design Group Ltd
The method:
Link transport investment to values of community, economy, environment.
The opportunity:
Transport affects wellbeing and we can create significant net benefits.
Waikato rates poorly on several OECD wellbeing indices. Access to services and access to education are two where the Waikato Region ranks in the bottom half of regions in New Zealand and the bottom 40% of regions across the OECD. Transport is an important component of access, but public transport investment is limited by nationally-set priorities such as reducing congestion. Transport as social investment is important but not well understood.
We can link transport investment to community sustainability and wellbeing by collecting new data about transport choices; measuring participation in transport and activities that support wellbeing; and populating an appraisal framework to define local and specific net benefits.
Transport is a key component of community wellbeing. It also contributes to environmental stewardship, and supports sustainable local and regional economies.
We can measure this contribution through talking with people and community stakeholders in the Waikato region.
We can find out:
Who uses transport for what reasons: what trips are enabled through different transport choices?
How much would users be willing to pay for different transport choices?
What trips are foregone due to lack of transport choices?
What are the broader but measurable foregone benefits to community due to a lack of transport choice: health, employment, social services, education, recreation?
What is the increase in Wellbeing if these opportunities are realised?
Beyond farebox recovery: measurable components of public transport
All of these components are measurable. Data to be gathered include:
Actual choices: what is available, to whom?
Revealed preferences: what trips do people make now?
Stated preferences: how do people say they trade off different values?
Availability
Do people have
transport choices?
Affordability
Can people and
Government
afford transport choices?
Comfort
Are transport choices convenient and enjoyable?
Accessibility
Are transport
choices useable
for all people?
Safety
Are transport choices safe, and perceived as safe?

2. The value of public transport for community wellbeing
Stuart Locke, University of Waikato
Bridget Burdett, Traffic Design Group Ltd
Examples of valuing broader benefits of investment in public transport
International literature concerning broader value of public transport for wellbeing is largely focused on the value of community transport. This is because volunteer-based community transport schemes are often established specifically to provide social benefit, in response to local need. Some examples of appraisal of these types of transport schemes are as follows:
Valuing Community Transport: A Guide for Commissioners of Transport Services
Some examples of the net benefit of transport for individuals who run the services; who use the services; and to broader society are stated, for example savings to the state when people are trained and employed in transport provision; health benefits for people who attend appointments that they would otherwise miss; and efficiencies between education, health and transport sectors when resources such as buses, vans and drivers are shared.
“The findings of the Detail Data report can be summed up in one sentence – community transport is the service that punches far beyond its weight.”
The Value of Community Transport in Northern Ireland
This report provides extensive detail on the breadth of social, economic and community benefits of transport provision that can be measured. Benefits range from the different between public transport and a taxi fare for individuals, and health benefits of a more active population; to employment opportunities, and enabling participation in voluntary and the community sectors.
“In most transport appraisals the dominant components of value are travel time and cost. Growth in transport markets leads to more travel time and more money being spent on transport… …transport is a big player in linking with wider policy objectives. The core elements of value are derived from facilitating better health, social inclusion, employability, education, training, and in building communities.” Hitrans.org.uk “Value of Community Transport Economic Analysis” p26
Social and community impacts of public transport: a recommended appraisal framework to inform a business case and Regional Public Transport Plan
The recommended appraisal framework builds on the work of others to link isolation and loneliness with transport provision; and to quantify the value of accessible transport.
These frameworks can be adapted to Waikato-specific communities, according to population characteristics and the nature of activities people participate in.
Why Community Transport Matters: Providing the case for community transport and its positive impact on health, wellbeing and communities