The everyday struggles of accessing public transport for women in the first- and last-mile stretches in Kolkata

Abstract

Walking and public transport are the primary modes of transport for women in developing countries. However, accessing these is not without barriers, particularly in the first- and last-mile stretches due to poor services, crowding, transfers, waiting, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure. This study aims to understand accessibility and the barriers women face in the first and last miles of everyday commuting. The data for this qualitative study are derived from visual surveys of selected locations in Kolkata and in-depth interviews to understand women's lived experiences, nuances of everyday travel, and diversity of encounters and perceptions. The major barriers to walking and accessing auto-rickshaws and buses are primarily heavy traffic, speeding vehicles, negligent driving, chaotic transfers, crowded conditions of buses, unsafe boarding and alighting, and absence of sidewalks. These barriers make women feel unsafe, influence modal choice, and increase travel time. Challenges in accessibility and acceptability of public transport push women to often make non-efficient and more expensive choices, which affects their work and family life. The findings stress the need for appropriate planning and design strategies and interventions to ensure equitable mobility for women.