23.09.2024
Improving mobility in the metropolis
New data is helping to make public transport safe and accessible for everyone. A study is investigating how women use transport in Lagos.
Home, work, kindergarten, school, university, market, shopping centre and back again – millions of people use various modes of public transport every day. For these to be of benefit and user-friendly for all, cities need data on the routes passengers take and their needs. Mobility data for women is particularly scarce. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is addressing this data gap with a pilot study commissioned by the German Development Ministry (BMZ).
In three locations – the Nigerian megacity Lagos, Kenya’s capital Nairobi and the South African metropolitan area of Gauteng – the study’s authors accompanied female students, housewives and working women on their travels and talked to them about their experiences. ‘We asked them when, how often and for what purpose they use public transport and what kind of difficulties they encounter,’ explains Lena Plikat, mobility expert at GIZ.
Safe, affordable, reliable
The data from Lagos shows that women have different needs depending on their age, occupation and income. They use minibuses or taxi services such as Uber to travel to work, university or the shops. For many, safety is an issue. ‘They check the vehicle from the inside, for example, or take a closer look at the drivers before they set off,’ says Plikat. Affordability is also a factor, with three quarters of participants complaining about the high prices. Many also want reliable timetables and better transport connections in their area.
Inclusive mobility starts with data
This is a vital insight for Lagos: ‘Having data like this is fundamental if the city is to plan its public transport and transport routes in a more inclusive and user-friendly way,’ Plikat explains. The study was conducted as part of the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), which was set up by the German Development Ministry. The initiative involves 11 partner organisations – including development banks, city networks, think tanks and non-governmental organisations. TUMI provides training, advice and networking for cities worldwide on sustainable and inclusive transport and has already improved mobility for around 28.6 million people.
The study “Decoding Women’s Transport Experiences” is available here. Six user profiles give a detailed insight into the different experiences women have as they travel around the city. The results of the study can be explored on a dedicated website.
