Standard price elasticity of demand figures treat the population in its entirety; yet it is intuitive that not all sections of the population will have the same elasticity figure. The EXTRA project has investigated the elasticities for different social groups. Furthermore, it has analysed travel patterns for different social groups and assessed what would be the consequences of price rises in transport for these groups. The main groups that have been examined are the elderly, the poor, the young, and women. While the analysis of differential price elasticities remains inconclusive, the analysis of travel demand shows clearly how disadvantaged groups would be even further disadvantaged with road pricing. The paper is based on the results of the "EXTRA" research project funded by the European Union to look at travel behaviour of different social groups in relation to pricing.
Abstract