1266 | 222 | Beyond gender-neutral policy: the impact of fare-free public transport on women’s mobility

The academic literature and transportation planning agendas have increasingly focused on considering gender in urban and transportation policies. However, feminist scholars, activists, and politicians believe that there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality. Many policies have the potential to promote gender equity, but they have not been recognized as such. Specifically, the idea of fare-free public transport has been discussed and designed as a policy that does not consider gender differences._x000D_
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Around the world, women make up the majority of public transport users. Due to limited access to cars, they often rely on public transport for trips that require motorized means, either due to the distance or inadequate infrastructure for active mobility such as walking or cycling. Many of these trips are related to care responsibilities, where women invest their economic and time resources to meet dependents’ mobility needs and run household errands. Additionally, women tend to have lower wages or no income at all, making the cost of a ride a significant factor in their budget, potentially influencing their travel patterns. _x000D_
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The purpose of this study is to explore the intersection of mobility, gender, and transport policy by examining the potential gendered impacts of fare-free public transport policies. Specifically, the study aims to discuss how such policy may affect the travel behavior and access to opportunities of women and men differently._x000D_

Monika Maciejewska
COSMOPOLIS, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

ID Abstract: 222