ABSTRACT
Introduction We have so far focused on the ways in which people structured their everyday mobility, on the degree to which there have been changes both in the extent and nature of mobility, and especially in the factors that influence mobility. We argue that although there have been some obvious and important changes, the underlying factors that influence everyday mobility have remained remarkably stable over the twentieth century, and that changes in the amount and nature of mobility have been much less than is sometimes suggested by theoretical literature and general statements. Changes in both transport policy and transport technology obviously have a major influence on everyday mobility in cities. So far these have been left relatively implicit. The main dimensions of transport change over the twentieth century, and the key changes in public transport provision in the case study towns, have been sketched in earlier chapters (2 and 4). We now focus more explicitly on the interaction between transport policy, transport technology and individual everyday mobility. Two questions are pursued. First, how did individuals experiencing new transport technologies for the first time react and adapt to them? For instance, did the experience of new technologies alter travel behaviour or were new technologies easily absorbed into established or routine travel behaviour? Second, how have past policy debates about urban transport affected the provision of intra-urban public transport and what impact has this had on the travelling public? These questions are examined in two main contexts. First, examination of policy debates in Manchester and Glasgow since the 1920s, focusing on conflict between trams, trolley buses and motor vehicles; and second, assessment of how travellers in these two cities reacted to changes in public transport provision.
