‘Ground-breaking’ report: Technological change and justice for women public transport workers

The ITF has launched a major report into the ‘The impact of the future of work for women in public transport’ . 

Focusing on five cities, the ITF-commissioned report aims to ensure that the needs and concerns of women are considered as public transport work changes.  

The chair of the ITF women transport workers’ committee Diana Holland said: “The research is ground-breaking as this is the first study that looks at the particular impacts of automation and digitalisation on women transport workers. The 12 recommendations are not just relevant for public transport but for all forms of transport and for the introduction of technological change everywhere”  

“Furthermore, the focus on women in public transport tends to be on women passengers, not women workers.    

“This research gives us the foundation to ensure that the specific issues faced by women are reflected in policy, strategy and action at a global and sectoral level.” 

This animation explains the main findings of the report.

For the ITF, the research provides opportunities at all levels, including:  

• strengthening the global ITF ‘Future of Work’ strategy  

• supporting development of the ITF policy on gender-based occupational segregation 

• strengthening the Our Public Transport programme, and negotiating with decision-makers 

The five cities in the study - Bangkok, Bogota, Cape Town, Mexico City, Nairobi - are all introducing a new public transport system or extending an existing network, which have significant implications for women's employment – and their experiences strengthen the ITF Our Public Transport programme. 

Report author Dr Tessa Wright is a UK-based academic researcher specialising in gender and sexuality in male dominated industries and worked with other researchers in each city.