This paper summarises the findings of a scoping study into regional transport in desert areas, and identifies directions for further research. Mobility involves conceptualising ‘the community’ as a regional network of kin and settlement centres, and with individuals constantly mobile. Policy, services and economic development should be shaped accordingly. An affordable remote public transport system becomes increasingly important as increased vehicle complexity and fuel prices undermine the affordability of private transport. The problem is not simply a scarcity of transport in remote areas, but rather the consequence of increasing usage of transport modes that are unsafe, illegal, or both.