Triggers for feelings of insecurity in public transport

The travellers who primarily cite perceived insecurity as a reason not to travel by public transport are infrequent travellers. However, a study of young public transport users in Malmö shows that perceived insecurity leads ten percent of these travellers to often avoid using public transport, despite the study being conducted among frequent travellers.

"Public transport users need to feel safe both while travelling and while waiting, as well as on their way to and from public transport," says Vanessa Stjernborg, researcher at K2 and Lund University who conducted the study of young travellers in Malmö.

One uncertainty raised by many travellers in the study was the surrounding traffic. Buses, in particular, seemed to contribute to the perceived insecurity.

"Several respondents felt that bus drivers could drive aggressively and quickly near the bus stop, and that it was unclear whether buses would stop for pedestrians. At Malmö Central Station, several travellers felt that buses could appear unexpectedly, and at other bus stops, travellers indicated that they needed to cross heavily trafficked streets to change buses," Vanessa explains.

Having more passengers present at the bus stop tends to increase the sense of security. However, some individuals can compromise this perceived safety, particularly if they appear to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Respondents also mentioned sterile, dull, worn-out, and littered environments as contributing factors to the perceived insecurity.

"It’s common for seating at bus stops to be designed to prevent sleeping. Unfortunately, many find these inclined benches difficult to sit on," Vanessa explains.

Police officers and guards appear to both improve the sense of security and lead to increased concerns, as their presence led passengers to wonder if something had happened and whether it was inappropriate to be present.

"Our study shows that it is not only infrequent travellers who refrain from using public transport due to concerns about safety. Even frequent travellers avoid public transport due to perceived insecurity," Vanessa concludes.

Read the full article: Triggers for feelings of insecurity and perceptions of safety in relation to public transport; the experiences of young and active travelers

The quotes in this article have been translated from Swedish.