Public transportation is not ‘gender neutral’

Those with keen eyes may have noticed that appearing in the margins of the news lately are reports on the ministerial committee of legislation, led by Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked, toppling a law, proposed by MK Dov Khenin, that would implement a uniform standard mandating shelter from the sun and rain at all bus stops. By toppling this proposal, Israeli members of Knesset have failed to meet the needs of the main customers of public transportation — women.

Many women, particularly those with low incomes, have no access to cars or do not possess a driver’s license; they are the most likely population to use public transportation. In Israel, only 43 percent of women possess a driving license, and 60% of public transportation users are women. In California, low-income women use public transportation five times more than the general female population does, and six times more than men do. Even in countries with advanced mass transportation systems, like Malmo, Sweden, 48% of men use private cars, while only 34% of women use private cars.

In other words, public transportation is not “gender neutral,” and International Women’s Day is an opportunity to mention that mass public transportation, as in many other public spheres, was designed for men, without taking gender differences into consideration.

Men use public transportation to make fewer, but longer journeys, while women make multiple short journeys, taking children to school or other activities, or accompanying someone in care. The journeys are often interrupted by stops for shopping or tasks related to family care. Due to different work patterns, men are more likely to travel at rush hour, while women are more likely to be part-time workers traveling off-peak, when service is less frequent. Making multiple journeys with infrequent service makes using public transportation a nightmare for many multi-tasking women.

Gender-sensitive planning in local public transportation has to include sidewalks wide enough to accommodate parents travelling with children; safe and well-lit public transportation stations; stops with sufficient space and shade; public toilets (with baby changing stations accessible to all sexes) near transit; conveniently located bus stops near housing and day-care facilities; and the integration of various transportation systems.

Buses should have low floors to aid those with children and the elderly in entering. Buses should also have sufficient storage space for shopping bags and strollers, and seating for children.

Israel’s public transportation is relatively safe for women, but personal security would be increased with security cameras and drivers trained in dealing with complaints of sexual harassment. Organized assistance in getting on and off buses at major stops for women laden with children, strollers, and shopping would also encourage women users.

Actively engaging women in planning and policy-making will result in transportation solutions that encourage women from all corners of society to use public transportation more often, and greatly ease the lives of those who have no choice about relying on it. Furthermore, increasing public transportation use will also reduce the use of private cars, dramatically reducing air pollution and improving our health.