For example, a family on benefit with a teenager who wished to remain in education after the statutory school leaving age, but who perhaps wanted to attend a course at a distance incurring high transport costs, might have to change their spending patterns quite radically. Somebody on a low income with a family, if they wished to travel regularly with the family, might find themselves unable to do so regularly unless other expenditure was curtailed . Availability of transport is used to refer to route possibilities, timings and frequency. Furthermore, a bus stop 400 metres away from home, particularly one with no seats or shelter, or one which can only be reached by crossing a major traffic artery, may be of little use to a person with, for example, a weak heart or knees, heavy shopping, or young children. Timings and frequency are included since if there is no service when a person wants to travel, there is no available transport .
Accessibility describes the ease with which all categories of passenger can use public transport.
For example, buses with high steps are notoriously difficult to board, particularly if they are one-person operated and there is no assistance. They are also difficult to use for those carrying luggage or shopping or with young children. Accessibility is also sometimes used to describe the ease of accessing the bus stop or station, although sometimes these parts of the journey are referred to as part of the public transport environment . If a walk is intimidating or dangerous, a bus stop at 200 metres distance may be perceived as inaccessible to a fit 14-year old boy because of the risk of mugging. Accessibility also includes ease of finding out about travel possibilities, i.e. the information function.