Social exclusion, transport decision-making and the role of Local Government: what happens when the 'socially excluded' request changes to bus services?

This thesis is concerned with the involvement of the 'socially excluded' in transport decision-making. Based upon case study research conducted consecutively in three
locai authorities between 1999 and 2000, it addresses the issue of what happened when the 'socially excluded' requested changes in bus provision. In doing this, it
addresses four key objectives. These were, to explain how bus provision is relevant to social exclusion; to investigate the extent to which current decision-making
processes promote the involvement of the socially excluded in decision-making; to conduct case study research in three locai authorities in order to examine examples of where the socially excluded requested changes to bus provision; and to identify the key factors that infìuenced whether, and to what extent, these requested changes were met.
Case study research was conducted in the three authorities, using a grounded theory approach. In each case study authority, examples were identified of where those who
were 'socially excluded' had asked for changes to bus provision. Investigation was undertaken through in-depth interviews and documentary analysis into the nature of
these requests, their outcomes, and the processes that led to these outcomes. Overall, it was found that the needs of the socially excluded were not adequately met, and
various contributing factors were identified.
The findings that emerged contribute toward the social exclusion debate in four main areas. Firstly, through illustrating the tensions between deregulated bus provision and social exclusion. Secondly, through showing the ambiguous nature of the roles of officers. Thirdly. by highlighting the diffìculties surrounding the role of councillors as advocate; and fourthly, by revealing the dynamics of the decision-making process around bus provision and social exclusion and the way in which these work against the interests of the socially excluded through a consumerist discourse stemming from a deregulated bus system.

Thesis submitted in part fulfillment of the award of Doctor of Philosophy.