{"id":31123,"date":"2025-06-24T14:07:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T13:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/ireland\/?post_type=expert_insights&p=31123"},"modified":"2025-06-24T14:07:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T13:07:24","slug":"queer-mobility-improving-public-transport-inclusivity","status":"publish","type":"expert_insights","link":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/ireland\/expert_insights\/queer-mobility-improving-public-transport-inclusivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Queer mobility: improving public transport inclusivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lindsey Stack, Associate at SYSTRA, explores the latest research into the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people using public transport, and considers what can be done to design and operate systems that foster safety, accessibility and inclusivity.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Despite just over 3% of the UK adults identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, and up to an estimated half a million trans people living in the UK, little evidence on travel behaviours exists. Four years ago when myself, and my colleague at the time Richard Adams<\/a>, looked into the subject, our understanding of LGBTQ+ transport users was limited to the occurrence of hate crimes and the barriers to travelling on public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While this has a profound impact on LGBTQ+ transport experience, it does little to situate the practitioner in the eyes of the user and the underlying processes that impact the way they travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To bridge this gap, in 2021, we conducted independent research involving a literature review, survey of LGBTQ+ public transport users, and engagement with industry stakeholders. Our findings revealed the stark reality of how hate crimes and safety fears still profoundly shape how LGBTQ+ individuals use public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During Pride Month 2025, I revisit our findings and ask: how can we improve LGBTQ+ safety and progress along the path to inclusive transport? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How safe do LGBTQ+ individuals feel on public transport?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In 2021, we conducted a survey which found that many LGBTQ+ individuals felt unsafe using public transport, particularly on buses, with women feeling more unsafe that others. Two years on, a London TravelWatch and Galop survey of 600 LGBTQ+ Londoners<\/a> reported similar findings, which found that 43% felt uneasy or \u2018on edge,\u2019 and two-thirds constantly feared violence or harassment while on public transport. Trans individuals, Deaf and Disabled LGBTQ+ people, and ethnic minority users faced heightened anxiety, with trans respondents particularly vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When we shift the focus to Scotland, a 2024 LGBT Youth Scotland survey<\/a> found only 40% of trans respondents felt safe on public transport compared to 56% of those who are cisgender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So, what triggers these feelings of unease for those that so often feel hyper-visible and vulnerable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disorderly passenger behaviour and the unpredictability of enclosed spaces, where you \u201ccan\u2019t really get away\u201d<\/a>, are key fears. Dark subways, isolated bus stops, and poor lighting heightened unease, especially at night, prompting some to avoid travel after dark altogether. Prior abuse or hearing about attacks on other LGBTQ+ people also fuels this cycle of fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our original research showed that many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are then compelled to suppress their identity and change their behaviour in order to blend in and feel safe, such as \u2018code-switching\u2019 to appear \u2018less queer\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Should LGBTQ+ individuals currently feel safe on public transport?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The stats paint a disheartening picture of insecurity, especially for those with intersecting identities. Whilst self-selection bias in surveys may amplify negative experiences, the consistency across studies signals a much more systemic issue – safety remains a barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unfortunately, it\u2019s not difficult to find instances of crime perpetrated against LGBTQ+ individuals on our public transport services. Our 2021 research found that 37% of respondents had faced physical or verbal attacks on public transport in the prior five years, more often than not, tied to their gender or sexuality. Official data underscores this trend, as Home Office figures show hate crimes based on sexual orientation in England and Wales rose from 15,835 to 22,839 between the years 2019 to 2024. And, whilst the number of hate crimes rose, a majority of victims also reported intense feelings of isolation as bystanders did not intervene<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s also important to note that whilst we see an increase in hate crimes figures, the numbers are likely much higher. Our 2021 survey revealed that most victims did not report incidents due to futility, abuse normalisation, or lack of trust in police behaviour and responsiveness. The lack of robust data on reporting outside London also limits a UK-wide perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Acknowledging the tangible progress made in public transport inclusivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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But, it\u2019s important to recognise that there are glimmers of hope. Since 2021, there have been a number of initiatives aimed at improving safety for LGBTQ+ public transport users, including the following Transport for London (TfL) initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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