A new study published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation assesses the social and monetary value of public transport initiatives in four deprived areas of England. The study aims to identify who benefits from social needs transport initiatives and how they benefit in relation to wider social inclusion objectives. One of the featured four projects is the Wythenshawe Local Link, operated by Manchester Community Transport and Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Limited (GMATL).

The report highlights the essential role that transport has to play in reducing social exclusion and recommends that the Government needs to do more to support socially necessary bus services, and that local authorities need to better evaluate and articulate the benefits of such transport projects.