Access to transport, life satisfaction and the mental wellbeing of rural older people in England under austerity

Access to affordable and good quality transport is reported to be important for the wellbeing of and mental health of older people, especially in rural areas, by ensuring mobility, human connections and independence. In the UK, 14 years of austerity, the long-term deregulation of public transport provision in England, and rising costs of living have affected older people's access to transport. The links between access to transport, quality of life and mental health in the UK are under-researched and there is a dearth of population level studies. This paper presents a longitudinal statistical analysis of the relationship between access to transport and mental wellbeing and life satisfaction in England. The analysis uses longitudinal Understanding Society (UKHLS) data and distinguishes between rural village, town and urban dwellers. The findings indicate that transport deprivation is a significant concern for a considerable minority in rural villages and towns, and it adversely affects people's life satisfaction and mental wellbeing. Furthermore, access to transport mediates the positive relationships between living rurally and higher quality of life. There is an urgent need for policymakers to tackle transport deprivation in rural England. • Transport deprivation has significant adverse long-term effects on rural older people's mental wellbeing and quality of life. • The study used UK Household Panel Study (UKHLS) data & found that access to transport mediates the effect of living rurally. • Austerity cuts since 2010 have affected older people's public transport use in rural areas.