By adopting strategies that prioritise women's safety, comfort, and convenience, Delhi can develop a more inclusive and equitable public transport system for all
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Delhi, a rapidly urbanising city in India, relies on the Delhi Metro and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses as key modes of public transport. The city's development plans prioritise expanding these transit systems, supported by last-mile connectivity through paratransit modes such as Gramin Sewa, auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, e-rickshaws, taxis, and interstate buses. However, these modes may not always be gender-neutral. Urban plans, mobility designs, and socio-economic factors play crucial roles in empowering or constraining women's movement in Delhi.
Women are the primary public transportation users in Indian cities, with 84 percent of work-related trips involving public, intermediate public, and non-motorised transport modes. However, gender-averse mobility frameworks often reinforce power dynamics, illustrating how cities are designed predominantly by and for men. What challenges do Delhi's transport systems pose in the seamless mobility of women? What lessons can existing urban mobility frameworks offer in making travel safe for everyone? How can Delhi's transport plans be more inclusive to enhance women's security and accessibility?
Delhi's public transit policies have been regarded as overlooking women's experiences and safety due to a lack of gender diversity in leadership positions. For instance, with only two women representatives in the Transport Department, many gender-related concerns may remain unaddressed. Poorly lit bus stops and the absence of designated waiting areas deter women from using public transport. In Delhi, 88 percent of surveyed women reported experiencing sexual harassment on public transit, but only 1 percent of these incidents were reported to the police. Additionally, poor last-mile connectivity, low-lit lanes, shrinking pavements, and isolated subways and parks create hostile environments often occupied by petty criminals.
Delhi's public transit policies have been regarded as overlooking women's experiences and safety due to a lack of gender diversity in leadership positions.
Despite the free bus scheme introduced in 2019, over 29 percent of women reported infrequent use of buses and harassment by male commuters and drivers. Daily harassment instances, such as staring, eve-teasing, and touching, are commonly observed by DTC workers. Narrow aisles and limited seating cause overcrowding, making women feel insecure. Poorly maintained bus stops with inadequate shelter and lighting increase vulnerability to assault. High metro fares burden low-income women, with over 50 percent finding the Delhi Metro unaffordable. This issue is particularly acute for women from disadvantaged groups and informal sectors, who often seek jobs closer to home to avoid safety concerns and manage domestic chores.
Safe and inclusive public transit systems are crucial for good urban governance and participatory development. The World Bank's Toolkit for Enabling Gender Responsive Urban Mobility emphasises increasing women-run police control rooms, helpdesks, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, enabling on-the-spot fines or arrests. While not universally applicable, especially in cities of the Global South that prioritise basic necessities, these frameworks provide valuable guidelines for enhancing women's safety during public travel.
The Women's Safety Audit (WSA) conducted by UNDP, UN Women Nepal, and Legal Aid and Consultancy Centre recommends collaborative women's safety walks in public areas involving government officials, service providers, and women's rights organisations to create gender-responsive public spaces. It also advocates for strengthening surveillance in public places and conducting awareness programmes with service providers such as drivers, conductors, guards, and local shopkeepers.
In South Korea, the Convenient Seoul Policy increased surveillance cameras to monitor assaults and implemented advanced taxi tracking systems for women's nighttime travel. Seoul also improved sidewalks by lowering ledges and installing hump-type crosswalks. In Quito, Ecuador, real-time reporting of sexual harassment is facilitated through text messages with the keyword 'harassment' and the bus's identity markers. This method triggers an immediate response, alerting the bus driver to activate an alarm. The Stop Harassment Brigade contacts the victim within three minutes, offering options to file a complaint and access protection services.
In South Korea, the Convenient Seoul Policy increased surveillance cameras to monitor assaults and implemented advanced taxi tracking systems for women's nighttime travel.
Toronto's last-mile connectivity includes designated waiting areas and intercom access to station operators. The Between Stops Programme allows women to request stops between 9 PM and 5 AM. Vienna excels in gender-responsive public transport, with a high representation of women in its transport authority. The city has enhanced infrastructure with extra lighting, mobile staff, additional night security, and accessible emergency buttons. Female employees are not assigned night shifts, further improving safety.
A few Indian cities have also made a significant impact. For example, in Bhubaneswar, the Capital Region Urban Transport has increased women's representation in the workforce by 40 percent by recruiting women bus conductors and encouraging training for women and transgender individuals as bus and e-rickshaw operators. Another Indian case is that of Kolkata, which operates special women-only bus services from morning to night, providing relief during office rush hours and crowded buses.
The Delhi government has taken significant steps to improve public transport safety, including reserving the first coach in the Delhi Metro for women with clear signage and CCTV surveillance. Quick reaction teams enforce compliance with fines for offenders while intensified patrolling after sunset and deployment of female security personnel enhance security. In 2022, DTC expanded night services with 88 regular buses and 30 Ladies Special buses during peak hours. It has initiated gender sensitisation programmes for bus crews, and Special Ladies Buses operate with 25 percent of seats reserved for women. Marshals and home guards contribute to safety efforts. DTC offers free training for women to drive heavy and light vehicles, increasing the number of women DTC bus drivers from 11 in 2022 to 60 in 2024. Challenges, however, persist in on-ground implementation.
A sustained, multifaceted approach is needed to address these setbacks, involving efforts in policy, infrastructure, and societal attitudes. Safety audits must identify issues in last-mile connectivity, including bus stops and interchange stations. While the One Delhi App provides real-time bus arrival data, only 2 percent of women know about it. Awareness campaigns should be run in schools, on social media, in colleges, and at public town halls. Gender safety audits, such as those by Jagori and Women in Cities International, are essential for creating safer streets and roads.
A sustained, multifaceted approach is needed to address these setbacks, involving efforts in policy, infrastructure, and societal attitudes.
Monitoring systems should be implemented at bus stops to ensure compliance, with punitive measures for repeated violations. Bus stops must be strategically located, well-connected, and equipped with better visibility and panic buttons for emergencies. Initiatives should involve multiple stakeholders for a balanced approach. For example, Safetipin's collaboration with the DTC, Purpose India, and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship assesses the safety and accessibility of Delhi bus terminals and provides key actions.
Infrastructural improvements are essential for a gender-responsive mobility system. Creating pedestrian-friendly environments with adequately sized sidewalks can facilitate ease of walking for all. Enhancing walking and cycling tracks, especially for first and last-mile connectivity, can benefit women who frequently use non-motorised transport. Informal methods, like those in Ahmedabad, where women feel safer with street vendors, can complement existing approaches. Additionally, gender-inclusive signages, such as pedestrian signals featuring female figures, can promote a sense of inclusion.
Delhi’s sparse representation of women in its public transport sector underscores the need for a female perspective in system design. Establishing a Gender Advisory Committee (GAC) within public transport authorities can prioritise gender equality. This committee would review transport plans to ensure gender-responsive planning, implementation, and evaluation. The GAC could also develop capacity-building programs for gender-sensitive planning, design, execution, and monitoring of public transport. Efforts like Jagori’s gender sensitisation initiatives could be widely used to advocate for initiatives such as free passes for women.
It is crucial to increase the number of female conductors and drivers and provide facilities like toilets and drinking water. The GAC could establish protocols to prevent sexual harassment, promote women's recruitment and advancement, and conduct gender sensitisation training for staff. Additionally, gender budgeting, as seen in Pune, can provide a framework for creating gender-responsive urban transport at the state level.
Ensuring women's access to safe and reliable public transport is essential for their empowerment and participation in urban life. By adopting strategies that prioritise women's safety, comfort, and convenience, Delhi can develop a more inclusive and equitable public transport system for all.
Shreya Ganguly is a research intern at the Observer Research Foundation
Anusha Kersarkar-Gavarkar is Senior Fellow with the Centre for Economy and Growth at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Shreya Ganguly is a research intern at the Observer Research Foundation. ...
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Anusha is Senior Fellow at ORF’s Centre for Economy and Growth. Her research interests span areas of Urban Transformation, Spaces and Habitats. Her work is centred ...
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