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One in four young people missing work and education opportunities due to inaccessible transport, Freenow by Lyft survey reveals
One in four young people say inaccessible transport is affecting their ability to access employment and education, according to new research published by Freenow by Lyft, raising concerns about the wider consequences of unreliable accessible transport.
The survey, released on Tuesday 10 November, found that 26% of respondents aged 16 to 24 reported transport barriers affecting journeys to work, school, university or job interviews. The research examined the experiences of wheelchair users and people who know someone who uses a wheelchair.
Almost half (49%) of young respondents said accessibility problems had forced them to miss or cancel plans, while 55% reported unexpected transport difficulties regularly disrupting their journeys.
The findings also revealed wider consequences for healthcare and social activities. Across all age groups surveyed, 26% said they had missed important medical appointments because of inaccessible transport, while 33% reported disruption to day trips and holidays.
A further 30% said accessibility barriers had affected their ability to visit friends and family. Among respondents aged 55 and over, 45% said persistent transport difficulties had reduced their confidence in travelling independently.
London’s wheelchair-accessible black cab fleet was identified as an important alternative when other transport options become unavailable.
According to Freenow by Lyft, 40% of younger respondents had turned to black cabs following physical infrastructure failures, including broken lifts, defective ramps and unreliable step-free connections.
Across the wider survey, 37% reported using black cabs because of severe overcrowding on public transport, which can prevent wheelchair users from accessing designated spaces on buses and trains.
Nearly a quarter of all respondents, 23%, identified black cabs as their primary alternative when public transport services failed.
The research also found strong demand for digital access to wheelchair-accessible taxis. Nine in ten respondents said being able to book a black cab easily through an app was important, with 52% describing this access as very important for maintaining their independence.
The findings come as London's licensed taxi industry continues to face concerns over vehicle replacement costs and the future size of its wheelchair-accessible fleet. Unlike private hire vehicles, London's licensed black cabs must meet wheelchair accessibility requirements, making them a transport option for passengers who cannot readily use conventional cars or public transport.
However, the high purchase price of zero-emission capable taxis has created financial pressures for drivers considering replacing older vehicles.
Freenow by Lyft is continuing to encourage Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London to examine financial support options designed to protect the capital's accessible taxi fleet while maintaining progress towards environmental targets.
The company has linked the issue of vehicle affordability to the availability of wheelchair-accessible transport, warning that continued pressure on taxi supply could have consequences for passengers who depend on these vehicles.
Alongside the research, Freenow by Lyft has announced a partnership with Whizz Kidz, a UK charity supporting young wheelchair users.
The partnership includes accessibility training for licensed black cab drivers and fundraising activities intended to support mobility equipment, specialist services and accessibility advocacy.
A specially branded Whizz Kidz and Freenow by Lyft black cab has also entered service on London's streets to promote awareness of the challenges faced by younger wheelchair users.
Passengers using the Freenow app can contribute to the charity through its Round Up and Donate feature, which allows fares to be rounded up to generate donations.
Danny O’Gorman, UKI General Manager at Freenow by Lyft, said: “Behind these numbers are young people missing out on job interviews, education, and simply meeting friends because the public transport network has let them down.
“As the platform with the largest fleet of black cabs, we know that these vehicles offer a vital lifeline when other options fail, but wider change is long overdue. Through our work with Whizz Kidz, from disability training for drivers to passenger fundraising, we are determined to help break down these barriers and make travel genuinely inclusive.”
Rue Denton, Whizz Kidz Youth Board member, said: “When transport works, it gives young wheelchair users independence, dignity, and the confidence to make journeys that matter to us. Right now, too many journeys are disrupted by access failures and a lack of proper staff training. Black cabs are one of the few transport options I can regularly rely on, but we need accessible travel solutions across the entire network built with young wheelchair users in mind.”
