Independent Travel Training: Transforming Lives

by Jayne Hadlow, Independent Travel Training Expert and Instructor

Independent travel training programmes are quietly making a powerful difference across the UK. By teaching young people and adults how to travel independently and safely, these programmes unlock opportunity, reduce public costs, and strengthen communities.

At their heart, independent travel training (ITT) is about confidence, skills, and inclusion. It supports individuals in understanding public transport, planning journeys, staying safe, problem-solving, and travelling with increasing independence. For many people with learning difficulties, disabilities, anxiety, or limited life experience, this training is life-changing.

The Benefits for Individuals

Learning to travel independently can be a turning point. It gives people:

• Greater confidence and self-esteem

• Increased independence and choice

• Access to education, employment, healthcare, and social activities

• Reduced isolation and improved mental well-being

• A stronger sense of belonging in their community

One story that captures this impact is that of a 67-year-old man with learning difficulties whom I trained a few years ago. For most of his life, he had never travelled alone. His mother took him everywhere by bus, including to his local community centre, which was his lifeline. When she sadly passed away, his world suddenly became much smaller.

He didn’t have the confidence or the knowledge to use the bus on his own. He stopped going to the community centre, became isolated, and felt anxious about leaving his home.

Through independent travel training, he learned how to plan a journey, read timetables, pay fares, ask for help, and stay safe. Step by step, his confidence grew. He started travelling independently to his community centre again. Then he went further – literally and figuratively.

He began visiting shops, going to a social club, and exploring other places he had never accessed alone before. His life became fuller, more connected, and more independent. As he said himself, it “made his life better”.

The Benefits for Communities

When people can travel independently, communities become more inclusive and connected. Independent travel training:

• Reduces social isolation

• Increases participation in community activities

• Builds confidence and resilience

• Encourages independence rather than reliance on others

• Strengthens local networks and services

People who can travel independently are more likely to volunteer, work, attend classes, and take part in social and cultural life. This doesn’t just benefit individuals – it enriches the whole community.

The Benefits for Councils and Public Services

Independent travel training also makes strong financial sense. Many local authorities fund specialist or door-to-door transport for people who could travel independently with the right support. ITT can:

• Reduce reliance on expensive council-funded transport

• Lower long-term transport costs

• Support more sustainable use of public transport

• Free up resources for those with the highest needs

By investing in training, councils can achieve significant savings while also improving the quality of life for residents. It’s a rare example of a service that delivers both social value and financial efficiency.

A Smarter, More Inclusive Future

Independent travel training is not just about buses and trains. It’s about dignity, opportunity, and inclusion. It’s about giving people the tools to live fuller, more independent lives – whether they are a young person starting out, an adult seeking work, or a 67-year-old man rediscovering his world after loss.

As demand grows and budgets tighten, these programmes offer a smart, compassionate solution. They help individuals thrive, communities flourish, and public services work more sustainably.

It’s time we recognised independent travel training for what it truly is: an investment in people, independence, and a more connected society.