EFFORTS to make the transportation sector more safe and inclusive need to be accelerated as women remain “overlooked” in this sector, according to experts from the Asian Development Bank .
“Transport planners need to develop services that are accessible, safe, inclusive, and affordable for all users, particularly for women, who have historically been overlooked,” the authors said. Chiang and Khan also said women do not own as many private vehicles as men and many of them travel in off-peak hours. These contribute to women feeling unsafe when using public transport.
Informal transport networks, the authors said, are those who do not have permits to operate but are useful means of transport for women and other poor travellers. The authors also said countries must take into consideration gender inclusive transportation by taking into account women’s mobility patterns and providing them access to safe transportation options.