{"id":17497,"date":"2025-03-08T03:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-08T03:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/india\/?p=17497"},"modified":"2025-06-23T14:36:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T14:36:21","slug":"a-seat-at-the-table-remains-unoccupied-without-a-seat-on-the-bus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/india\/en\/story\/17497\/a-seat-at-the-table-remains-unoccupied-without-a-seat-on-the-bus\/","title":{"rendered":"A Seat at the Table Remains Unoccupied Without a Seat on the Bus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Many women face hostility from male commuters and unfair treatment from bus staff\u2014like buses refusing to stop for them. Image: A woman waits at a bus stop, checking her watch. Graffiti beside her demands: \u2018Stop for Women\u2019. \u00a9 Greenpeace\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The phrase \u201ca seat at the table\u201d is a powerful metaphor for influence, voice, and decision-making. But before we can take our place in boardrooms, legislative chambers, and workplaces, we need to get there\u2014safely, affordably, and without barriers. The journey to empowerment, leadership, and economic independence begins in public spaces, on buses, and in metros\u2014places that should enable freedom, not restrict it.<\/p>\n\n

International Women\u2019s Day was born out of radical movements<\/a> for labour rights, suffrage, and systemic change. It was never meant to be about pink-washed advertisements or social media posts. Yet, that\u2019s what it has become\u2014a day when brands, corporations, and even those around us embrace shallow empowerment narratives while ignoring the systemic inequalities we’ve all been conditioned to accept.<\/p>\n\n

This Women\u2019s History Month, we\u2019re deconstructing mobility as a feminist right. Public transportation isn\u2019t just about getting from point A to point B. It\u2019s about mobility in every sense of the word\u2014economic, social, and political. Mobility is a function of access, andaccess has never been equal.<\/p>\n\n

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Kajal commutes to Delhi every weekend for her theatre classes. As a woman with disability, she navigates overcrowded buses, harassment, and a system that remains inaccessible and unaccommodating. “Public buses aren\u2019t designed for people with disabilities, and neither are the attitudes of those who run them,” she says, calling for better accessibility and empathetic bus staff. Image: Kajal, as part of our campaign documenting women\u2019s commuting experiences. \u00a9 Kajal \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

When our urban planning and public transport systems have been historically designed<\/a> with the commuting patterns of upper-caste, able-bodied men and the rich in mind, they choose to exclude women, trans people, and marginalised communities. This is not just about comfort or convenience; it’s about rights, access, and equity.<\/p>\n\n

From poorly lit bus stops to overcrowded public transport, from inadequate first and last-mile connectivity to the looming threat of harassment, these are not just inconveniences but barriers. They limit our participation in the workforce, in education, in public life. They tell us where we can go, and by extension, where we cannot.<\/p>\n\n

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“Traveling by bus feels like fighting a war\u2014you must protect your mobile, your purse, and your body,” says Shweta, who relies on Delhi\u2019s buses for their affordability and reach. But harassment is routine, dismissed as \u201cminor molestation,\u201d and backlash is growing\u2014drivers ignore women at stops, conductors arbitrarily issue passes, and male passengers resent their right to a seat. Image: Shweta, as part of our campaign documenting women\u2019s commuting experiences. \u00a9 Shweta \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Vandana\u2019s commute is far from easy\u2014overcrowded buses, long waits, and the risk of being left stranded. In the image above, she rushes behind a bus that didn\u2019t stop for women, alongside a mother and her children. Yet, she persists, relying on Delhi\u2019s free bus service for work. “More women as drivers and ticket collectors would make the journey safer,” she says. Image: Vandana, as part of our campaign documenting women\u2019s commuting experiences. \u00a9 Vandana \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Reclaiming Public Spaces\u2014Taking Over the City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

In October 2024, we took to the streets of Mumbai and spoke to the women navigating a city that promises upward mobility but systematically denies it to those who need it most. Like most cities in the country, Mumbai\u2019s public spaces are not neutral\u2014they are shaped by caste, class, and gendered privilege. Women in Mumbai spend 21% more<\/a> on transportation than men just to feel safe, exposing the stark gendered economic burden of mobility. Yet, even after paying this \u2018pink tax,<\/a>\u2019 only 35%<\/a> of women feel safe accessing metro stations. This is not just a failure of infrastructure\u2014it\u2019s a deliberate exclusion from the city itself.<\/p>\n\n

But women are reclaiming space. In Delhi, the Pink Ticket scheme<\/a>, and in Karnataka, the Shakti<\/a> Scheme<\/a>, have proven that equitable policies can challenge the status quo<\/a>. When women occupy buses, trains, and stations in greater numbers, they don\u2019t just reach their destinations\u2014they shift the dynamics of public space itself. More women in public means safer streets, stronger communities, and a challenge to the deeply entrenched norms that dictate who gets to move freely.<\/p>\n\n

Yet, fare-free transport policies for women have often been framed as an unfair advantage despite studies consistently showing that families in India spend less on girls than on boys, not just in education<\/a>, healthcare<\/a> and nutrition<\/a> but also on transport. For many, travel is an economic hurdle.<\/p>\n\n

Women\u2019s mobility patterns are more intricate<\/a>\u2014they often travel shorter distances but make multiple stops for (unpaid) caregiving, household errands, and work. Yet, public transportation is not designed for these realities. When women stop using public transport because of high costs, it\u2019s not just their independence that suffers\u2014it\u2019s the economy. Women who cannot afford to commute don\u2019t work. They don\u2019t study. They don\u2019t participate in public life. And that lost participation translates to lost wages, lost productivity, and lost economic growth. But access to mobility alone is not enough. Increased ridership must be met with political commitment\u2014better infrastructure, frequent buses, and real safety measures that go beyond tokenism. Gender sensitisation<\/a> is the bare minimum. It is not just about mobility\u2014it is about power, autonomy, and the right to exist freely in the cities we helped build.<\/p>\n\n

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Image: Drishti and Prapti Elizabeth take over iconic spots in Mumbai, demanding affordable and efficient mobility for all. The demand for fare-free transport for women and trans people was put in front of political parties ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra state elections as part of our mobility campaigns. \u00a9 Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Mobility for People, Sustainability for the Planet: I \u2764\ufe0f Climate Tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

We need cities that move with women, not against them. When we design public transportation with everyone in mind, we incentivise its utilisation by all.<\/p>\n\n

Shifting more people from private vehicles to public transportation reduces carbon emissions, decongests roads, and improves air quality. And when public transportation is accessible and inclusive, it becomes a powerful tool for climate justice.<\/p>\n\n

Our vision isn\u2019t just about making public transport accessible and affordable\u2014it\u2019s about reimagining our cities. It\u2019s about feminist urban planning that caters to the needs of all: women, trans people, the working class, people with disabilities, the elderly, students, and the planet.<\/p>\n\n

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Image: Residents of Sunder Nagri, New Delhi, paint a graffiti reading \u2018Hamari Bus, Hamara Haq\u2019 (Our Bus, Our Right). Located on the city’s periphery, Sunder Nagri is often ignored in urban policy, limiting residents’ ability to fully participate in and contribute to the city. \u00a9 Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Let\u2019s question why access to safe and affordable public transport is normalised as a luxury rather than a right and a basic service for the people. Why aren\u2019t there enough buses? Why are streets unsafe? Why are cities designed for car owners instead of public transport users? Let us recognise that a truly inclusive society isn\u2019t one where women and other minorities are merely present\u2014it\u2019s one where they can participate, contribute, and lead.<\/p>\n\n

A feminist reality isn\u2019t just about who gets a seat at the table. It asks who gets to reach there\u2014who gets to move freely, without fear, without limits, and with agency. And it fights for the ones who can\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n

Want to reimagine the way we move?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Right now, we have the chance to demand safe, accessible, and fare-free public transport for all. Call on your elected officials to invest in public transportation with a dedicated budget that prioritizes equity, sustainability, and mobility for those who need it most.<\/p>\n\n

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Sign Now: I \u2764\ufe0f Climate Tickets<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Empty (they\/them) is a Communications Consultant with Greenpeace India. They are a writer and researcher focusing on the intersections of climate and social justice. They write on queer and gender politics as well.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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  1. The Guardian. (2023, March 8). Happy International Women’s Day: A look back at over a century of the global fight for justice and equality<\/em>. https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2023\/mar\/08\/happy-international-womens-day-a-look-back-at-over-a-century-of-the-global-fight-for-justice-and-equality<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. URBANET. (n.d.). Feminist urbanism: Smashing patriarchy in urban design<\/em>. https:\/\/www.urbanet.info\/feminist-urbanism-smashing-patriarchy-in-urban-design\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Times of India. (2022, May 2). Mumbai women spend 21% more on transport for safety, says survey<\/em>. https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/city\/mumbai\/mumbai-women-spend-21-more-on-transport-for-safety-says-survey\/articleshow\/91274549.cms<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The Print. (2021, April 15). Hidden pink tax on women\u2019s mobility: Mumbai study<\/em>. https:\/\/theprint.in\/opinion\/hidden-pink-tax-on-women-mobility-mumbai-study\/638798\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Hindustan Times. (2022, May 12). Study: Only 35% women feel access routes to metro stations in Mumbai are safe<\/em>. https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/cities\/mumbai-news\/study-only-35-women-feel-access-routes-to-metro-stations-in-mumbai-are-safe-101651516594635.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Greenpeace India. (2024). Fare-Free Future: Ride the Justice Route<\/em>. https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/india\/en\/publication\/16993\/fare-free-future-ride-the-justice-route\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Dasgupta, A., & Datta, A. (2023, October). Gendered transport subsidy and its short-run effect on female employment: Evidence from Delhi\u2019s Pink Pass Scheme<\/em>. Ashoka University, Shiv Nadar University. <\/a>https:\/\/dp.ashoka.edu.in\/ash\/wpaper\/paper105_0.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Rashmi, R., Malik, B.K., & Mohanty, S.K. (2022). Predictors of the gender gap in household educational spending among school and college-going children in India<\/em>. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 9<\/em>(329). <\/a>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1057\/s41599-022-01350-x<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Dupas, P., & Jain, R. (2021, June). Women left behind: Gender disparities in utilization of government health insurance in India<\/em>. Princeton University, University College London. <\/a>https:\/\/siepr.stanford.edu\/publications\/working-paper\/child-nutrition-india-nineties-story-increased-gender-inequality<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. The New Indian Express. (2024, October 31). Women mobility up after free fare bus service in Delhi<\/em>. https:\/\/www.newindianexpress.com\/cities\/delhi\/2024\/Oct\/31\/women-mobility-up-after-free-fare-bus-service-in-delhi<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Roy, A. (n.d.). Women\u2019s mobility and public transportation: How gendered is movement in urban India?<\/em> SPRF India. <\/a>https:\/\/sprf.in\/womens-mobility-and-public-transportation\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n