Women-Only Transportation: How “Pink” Public Transportation Changes Public Perception of Women’s Mobility
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2013
Subject Area
planning - personal safety/crime, place - north america, policy - equity
Keywords
women, perception, mobility, culture, violence, gender inequality
Abstract
It is well documented that women often face sexual harassment and violence during their daily commutes, particularly in countries with extreme levels of gender inequality. A popular reaction to this problem is to issue women-only transit services. Despite this growing trend, we know very little about it. Looking at the case of Mexico City, this study examines, analyzes, and evaluates women-only transportation, focusing on the roles of culture and public opinion. Drawing from both qualitative and quantitative data, it finds that the violence women face in public transit leads them to always opt for women-only services, encouraging local policy makers to increase their numbers. Local feminist groups have advanced this system by arguing that violence in regular public transit is gender discrimination. Consequently, they have positioned themselves as administrators of women-only transportation, using it as a campaign to defend women’s equal right to urban mobility.
Rights
Permission to publish the abstract has been given by NCTR, copyright remains with them.
Recommended Citation
Dunkel-Graglia, A. (2013). Women-Only Transportation: How “Pink” Public Transportation Changes Public Perception of Women’s Mobility. Journal of Public Transportation, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp 85-105.
