Use of public transportation

Many foreign studies indicate that women are more likely than men to use public transportation while men tend to use private cars more often. In Iceland, however, the gender distribution of public transportation users (Strætó) is more equal compared to other countries.

Gender and equality perspectives

The only noticeable gender difference in behavior using Strætó (public buses) in Iceland is that women appear slightly more likely to have a subscription pass (55% versus 45% for men), while men are more likely to buy single tickets. This could, for example, be due to differences in travel patterns among men and women (women travel more frequently, but for shorter distances, while men make fewer, but longer trips). Therefore, it could be financially beneficial for women to have a subscription pass. Accessibility and safety for disabled people using Strætó is lacking, which is an important factor in the travel experience and quality of life for many disabled people. 

Additionally, a study by Birta Óskarsdóttir (2021) suggests that foreign citizens use Strætó more than Icelandic citizens, as cost seems to weigh more heavily in transportation choices for immigrants than for locals.

According to a Gallup travel survey in 2019, most participants stated that the main reason for using private cars instead of Strætó was simply because they preferred a different mode of transportation, people found Strætó too time-consuming, and the route schedule was inadequate. 

A Gallup environmental survey in 2022 then shows that only 5% of respondents use Strætó to commute to and from work or school, regardless of seasons and regions. The same survey shows that respondents are more likely to walk to work or school than take Strætó in the winter. This applies to all country regions except for Reykjavík's neighboring municipalities.

Women are more likely than men to do unpaid work for the household, such as picking up and dropping off children at preschool/school, grocery shopping, and caring for elderly parents or other family members. In this context, it is worth noting that according to the European Labor Force Survey in 2018, the burden of care for individuals is one of the highest in Iceland, with nearly 10% of Icelanders regularly caring for sick, disabled, or elderly relatives, and women are slightly more likely than men to do so.

Iceland has the highest caretaking burden in the Nordic countries. Finland comes second at 3.3%. The conclusion that can be drawn is that if private cars are the fastest and most convenient way to handle all these tasks, along with commuting to work, individuals are more likely to choose to travel by car rather than public transportation, cycling or walking. Transport infrastructure, especially those that shorten travel time, expand employment areas and increase safety, are likely to benefit women more due to their travel habits.

Women also value safety and separate travel paths, such as dedicated spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, which could increase the number of women who choose other modes of transportation, especially if their work is in close proximity to the home. This also applies to other groups in society, such as children and disabled people. Harsh winter conditions with ice and snow on pedestrian and cycling paths are more challenging for these groups.

Separate travel paths and good winter service on pedestrian and cycling paths will therefore most likely encourage these groups to use diverse modes of transportation throughout the year.

Sense of safety and public transportation

A survey in the town of Kalmar, Sweden, showed that women avoided taking the bus at night because they felt unsafe when walking from the bus stop. The city developed so-called „light stops“ that allowed passengers to ask the bus driver to stop at points between designated bus stops. The bus drivers then opened only the front doors of the bus and made sure that no other passengers followed. This made evening bus trips safer and more attractive for women.

Winter service

An analysis of the gender effects of snow removal in Karlskoga, Sweden, revealed that the snow removal had different effects on genders. Previously, routes were cleared to places where proportionally more men worked than women. It is important to note that so-called women's workplaces, such as schools, preschools, and nursing homes, need to be cleared at specific times. Roads intended for cars and larger vehicles were cleared first, and pedestrian and cycling paths were last on the priority list. When the numbers were examined, it became clear that men used the roads more, while women used pedestrian and public transportation more. Given that it is more difficult to walk and cycle in the snow than to drive a car, the priorities were changed. By changing the priorities, the city became more accessible to everyone, especially children, teenagers, and people who use wheelchairs or walkers. This new arrangement is better suited to the needs of most people and the means of transportation that the public uses without additional costs to the city. In addition, there was a decrease in emergency room visits in Karlskoga on icy days due to fewer accidents from slippery conditions.