THE BURDEN OF HIGH FARE PRICES ON URBAN INEQUALITY:

AN ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORT COSTS IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Abstract

 In recent years there has been a surge of interest in the relation between transport and equity. While transport expenditure plays a pivotal role in promoting equity within public transport systems, out-of-pocket user costs are often overlooked. Making transport affordable is one of the foremost challenges, especially in the Global South, where inequality levels are high. The primary objective of this research was to determine who was most affected by high public transport fares and to assess the resulting implications for equity in Rio de Janeiro. This study uses survey data collected from public transport users in 2023 to assess real transport expenditures and incomes to provide a complex description of fare affordability in the city. By considering both perceived affordability and a calculated affordability metric, we use statistical analysis to identify which groups were most likely to be adversely impacted by the existing fare policies. We then evaluated these groups’ accompanying perceptions of public transport. Finally, a Pseudo Palma ratio was used to measure the equity of fare costs across those who could and could not afford their transport. Our findings revealed that income, gender, transport expenditure, trip time and trip purpose were the main factors that distinguish those who could or could not afford their daily transport needs. We find that the relation between fare policies and transport equity depends on a complex interaction between fare costs, sociodemographic
characteristics, perceptions, and spatial organization.Pseudo Palma ratio was used to measure the equity of fare costs across those who could and could not afford their transport. Our findings revealed that income, gender, transport expenditure, trip time and trip purpose were the main factors that distinguish those who could or could not afford their daily transport needs. We find that the relation between fare policies and transport equity depends on a complex interaction between fare costs, sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions, and spatial organization.