The role of public transport in facilitating independent travel among pre-driving adolescents

This thesis investigates the factors shaping public transport use among adolescents who cannot yet legally drive. It examines how individual characteristics, family dynamics, social expectations, and environmental conditions influence their mobility to school and non-school destinations. The study also analyses how parents enable or restrict adolescents’ independent use of public transport. Using mixed methods, it identifies key barriers and facilitators that affect travel choices. The findings demonstrate that public transport could be essential for adolescent independence and participation in daily life. This work offers evidence-based guidance for policymakers to design more inclusive and sustainable transport systems for young people.