The provision of good accessibility is the main function of a well-functioning public transport (PT) system, the quality of which affects the ability of people to access basic needs such as employment, education, and healthcare. It is therefore important that PT accessibility is distributed in an equitable, or fair, manner. This thesis evaluates the equity of a PT network according to three distinct distribution principles, defined as alternative ideas of what constitutes a fair distribution of resources. Egalitarianism, proportionality, and sufficientarianism are applied in separate equity evaluations of the same area, resulting in the identification of zones of surplus and deficit accessibility according to each principle. When comparing the results of the three equity evaluations, it is found that both the locations and magnitudes of accessibility surpluses and deficits differ between principles. Some principles have deficit zones in common at the periphery of the study area, indicating that the borders of concessions may have been somewhat neglected in the service planning process. However, overall, the main finding is that a PT network that is equitable according to one principle may not be equitable according to another. It is also attempted to use the results of each equity evaluation to make frequency modifications to achieve a more equitable PT network according to each principle. Equity evaluation according to egalitarianism and proportionality were found to not be possible due to the circular calculations inherent in the methodology. It was possible to use the results of the sufficientarianism equity evaluation in network design, therefore this principle can be used as an input in the network planning process. Although further research is still required, these findings can help to inform the incorporation of equity in future PT planning policy, for example through inclusion in concession requirements.

An inclusive and sustainable transport network allows people the opportunity to access their daily needs. When there is a discrepancy between someone’s transport needs and their supplied network, they are at the risk of experiencing transport poverty. This study looks to define the transport needs for clusters of neighbourhoods of different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics in Amsterdam, The Netherlands by evaluating the relationship between the network’s supply and demand. Neighbourhoods are grouped through their characteristics using a Latent Class Clustering Analysis into likewise clusters. Supply and demand indicators are designed for each neighbourhood using GTFS and smart card ridership data. The effect of a neighbourhood’s cluster on the relationship is analyzed through an interaction effects linear regression. It was found that improvements to the supply indicators had a positive relationship with the overall demand of the network. However, this is consistent for all defined clusters of Amsterdam which is contrary to the expectations of the analysis. It was assumed that the supply indicators, reflecting convenience and efficiency of the network, would be needed variably for different socioeconomic groups of Amsterdam. These findings provide valuable insights into the current needs of Amsterdam residents, the state of the public transit network, and how transport planners should focus future infrastructure improvements. Insights are also gathered on how transport poverty research may be improved through statistical clustering techniques and using data in order to measure the use of the network.