Work

Come together. Co-conceptualizing workers and passengers in public transportation research

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article explores how public transportation workers and passengers conceptually can be brought together. This is well worth discussing because of how these two positions are interconnected and simultaneously impacted by how public transportation is set up and operated. This applies to for example increased efficiency measures and digitalization, possibly well received by some passengers while possibly resulting in reduced accessibility for others and more stress for workers. We therefore argue that a combined attention to both these positions can help relate public transportation to social justice and other political questions, as well as deepen the understanding of the ongoing transformation of the sector. Drawing on discourse theory, we analyse literature that engages with workers and passengers, to discuss different possibilities of articulating these positions as interrelated. The findings point to shortcomings with mainstream conceptualisations in transport research, which make attention to both positions at the same time difficult. However, other findings highlight that this can be overcome in various ways and that doing so puts public transportation in new perspectives. The discussion concludes with several takeaways for continued research, such as for example that public transportation articulated as public space, can be valuable for conceptually bringing workers and passengers together.

Source: Case Studies on Transport Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101501

Authors: Karin Winter, Jens Portinson Hylander

Institutions: Lund University, K2, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Transportation Planning and Optimization

Subfield: Transportation

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,950