Equitable mobility for women in Kolkata, India: Refocusing on the first- and last-mile connectivity

Abstract

This study aims to understand the barriers women face in the first- and last-mile stretches during their everyday commutes in Kolkata, India, and the consequences of these barriers on their accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of public transport. It finds that the lack of inclusive, safe, reliable, and integrated public transport and poor pedestrian infrastructure, coupled with gendered norms, compel women to undertake journeys at the expense of their safety, convenience, and affordability and sometimes to fulfill only urgent needs. It costs women time and money, besides disengaging them from the city. While routine activities and vigilance by shopkeepers, hawkers, and passers-by are perceived as safe as women can call out for help if needed, impermeable street edges and up-market areas are perceived as unsafe due to the lack of visibility. This study notes that the disruptive affects of public transport and the ingrained emotional ordeals affect women disproportionately, restricting their mobility and making them opt out of public transport often. Women mostly internalize the process of negotiation through space and time avoidance. They tend not to protest or speak up for fear of retaliation while accessing public transport or traversing the streets of Kolkata. The contribution of this study lies in understanding the gendered nature of commute in the first- and last-mile stretches, crucial segments in a trip but seldom explored in the Global South. It recommends contextual and qualitative studies and revisiting the urban planning process.