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PhD Studentship funded by Great Western Research and Stagecoach Devon
Implications of Free Senior Citizens' Bus Travel for the
Sustainability Contribution of Bus Networks

(http://www.transport.uwe.ac.uk/opportunities/GWR-PhD.asp)


Introduction

The decision to offer free travel to people over 60 years of age on
local bus services throughout England was one of the most important
policy measures affecting the sector for years. Despite this
importance, the policy was subject to little analysis prior to
implementation. Although proving popular with beneficiaries, in the
last two years the policy has emerged as highly controversial with bus
companies and local authorities charged with its implementation and
amongst other interests in the transport sector competing for scare
public resources.

The three-year full-time PhD opportunity is supported with a
studentship co-funded by Stagecoach Devon, the principal provider of
public bus services in the County of Devon, and the South West
Regional Development Agency, through the Great Western Research
initiative. It will examine the wider implications of the policy of
encouraging additional travel in terms of the benefits over-60s
experience, the overall mix of bus passengers, the resource and
environmental costs, and implications of the subsidy for bus
regulation. In addition the success with which additional demand for
bus travel was predicted as a result of the policy will be examined.

The supervisory team brings together research experience in respect of
transport policy evaluation, travel behaviour and public transport
regulation, combining it with private sector bus industry expertise
and further public sector assistance from Torbay Council, the local
authority responsible for one of areas most affected by the policy.
The successful applicant will pursue his or her studies in a social
scientific context, working towards award of a University of the West
of England doctoral degree. The student will be a member of both the
Centre for Transport & Society (UWE) and the Centre for Sustainable
Transport (Plymouth) specialist transport research groups. In addition
s/he will benefit from the facilities of the UWE Faculty of
Environment and Technology’s Graduate School, which offers excellent
research training following Economic & Social Research Council
guidelines. The candidate will also maintain close working
relationships with Stagecoach Devon and Torbay Council.


The candidate

The successful applicant will have a broad interest in the importance
of promoting sustainable mobility and an understanding of the
importance of conducting objective evaluations of policy initiatives.
S/he will have a good first degree or Master’s degree in a relevant
discipline such as geography, economics, transport or environmental
studies. Ideally the candidate will have experience of applying
mixed-methods research methodologies and be willing to acquire
additional skills such as questionnaire and database preparation,
statistical analysis, GIS analysis, or qualitative interviewing and
textual analysis as necessary. The successful candidate will have
excellent communication and personal management skills, able to
optimise use of the specialist range of resources offered by the two
supervisors and their universities and the private and public sector
partners.


Studentship

The PhD studentship covers fees and pays a stipend for three years.
The stipend will be equivalent to the research council rate of £12,940
in the 2008/09 academic year with cost of living adjustments in years
2 and 3.


Eligibility to apply

There are no nationality or residency restrictions on applications
being considered, but the opportunity is available for full-time study
only and the successful candidate should be in a position to begin
study promptly.


Further information

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Dr Graham
Parkhurst

Further details about the research topic can be downloaded here.


Application process

Submission of an application:

* Application form
* Guidance notes

Formal applications should be submitted electronically, if possible,
to Ruth Farajian:
Ruth Farajian, Faculty of the Built Environment, University of the
West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY.
Tel: 0117 32 83012
Email: Ruth2.Farajian@uwe.ac.uk

A full CV should accompany the application form.

Individuals are encouraged to make clear in their application why they
are attracted to this studentship opportunity and what credentials
they have to suggest that they are well suited to addressing this
research and become part of the CTS team. Applicants for whom English
is not their first language will need to supply evidence of their
proficiency in English. The standard required is a British Council
IELTS score of 6.5 or above (equivalent to a paper-based TOEFL score
of 600 or a computer based TOEFL score of 250).


Key Dates

Closing date for applications: 17th March 2008.
It is intended that interviews will be held on 31st March 2008.