Ghent launches action plan in fight against transport poverty
Ghent city council recently approved an action plan in the fight against transport poverty. The plan provides nearly 3 million euros and should eventually ensure that all Ghent citizens can move around independently. And that regardless of their financial, physical or mental condition.
Fifteen action points
Specifically, the plan contains 15 action points and places strong emphasis on accessible mobility. For instance, the City of Ghent wants to work on more accessible walking routes and more bus stops will be adapted to the needs of less mobile people, the blind and visually impaired. There will also be more cycling lessons for people who have never learned to ride a bike, or have forgotten cycling over the years.
Furthermore, the city wants to remove financial obstacles so that even people with little financial means can get around freely. For example, there will be cheap second-hand bicycles for vulnerable groups. There will also be extra support for travel by bus and shared cars.
Not being able to participate in social life because you cannot move around is not okay. That is why we remove as many barriers as possible. Gentenaars should be able to move around independently, regardless of their financial, physical or mental condition.
schepen van Mobiliteit in Gent
2.95 million euros between 2021 and 2025
The action plan runs from 2021 to 2025. A total of €2.95 million has been allocated to implement the action points. Some actions have already been launched, such as the bicycle taxi service for people with reduced mobility and the ten-ride cards that help vulnerable students reach distant internship sites.
With support from Mobile 21
The action plan did not come overnight, of course. To this end, the city worked together with many partners. Among other things, the plan is based on the findings from 'Tailor-made Transport for Less Mobile Gentenaars', a research project in which Mobiel 21 and the City of Ghent mapped and evaluated the mobility offer for less mobile people in order to identify thresholds, points for improvement and opportunities.
Want to know more about transport poverty?
Mobiel 21 actively takes on this complex problem.
Related insights
Rome toont de weg naar inclusieve deelmobiliteit
Hoe kan deelmobiliteit bijdragen tot een veerkrachtigere en meer op mensen gerichte mobiliteit? Op die vraag zochten professionals en politici uit meer dan 12 EU-landen naar antwoorden op de CIVINET 2-daagse in Rome. Wij zetten de belangrijkste bevindingen op een rijtje.
FietsFAN onderzoekt rol van fiets als hefboom naar werk
FietsFAN brengt in kaart hoe de fiets werkzoekenden in Noord-Limburg kan helpen om makkelijker werk te vinden. Het project combineert onderzoek, pilots en samenwerking met lokale partners om duurzame arbeidskansen te creëren.
Fighting transport poverty
Everyone has the right to move freely and participate in society. We support people facing transport disadvantages by identifying vulnerable groups, and seek to integrate equity into sustainable mobility.