Is high-speed rail socially exclusive? An evidence-based worldwide analysis

The extent to which high-speed rail (HSR) could be socially egalitarian has been disregarded, despite evidence that upper social-occupational groups are the primary users of high-speed trains (HSTs). In this context, this review aims to fill the gap by investigating the social attributes of HSR passengers based on worldwide, available ex post data derived from surveys at both national and corridor levels. The study’s results converge to conclude that HSR passengers are predominantly male, higher income, highly educated and belonging to higher social-occupational groups. Key indicators of social inequalities (i.e. income, occupational group and education) show a much sharper differentiation in HSR use than gender and age. Social inequalities arguably shape the uneven use of HSR through available income compared to HSR fares; through income compared to total expenditure on non-business travel; and through travel purposes, considering the high share of business travel aboard HSTs. The findings highlight “greener” transport means and policies may not be socially inclusive. They also raise the issue of facilities (co-)funded by taxpayers that do not benefit the masses.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2021.09.009
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214367X21000910
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/2214367X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2021 Hong Kong Society for Transportation Studies. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Dobruszkes, Frédéric
  • Chen, Chia-Lin
  • Moyano, Amparo
  • Pagliara, Francesca
  • Endemann, Peter
• Publication Date: 2022-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 96-107
• Serial:
  • Travel Behaviour and Society
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 2214-367X
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/2214367X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Equity; High speed rail
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01785713
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 26 2021 11:14AM