Want more people to use public transit? Make it safer

"Bicycle advocates often talk about this in terms of "bike trips not taken" because of a lack of quality infrastructure. Survey after survey shows that many people opt out of cycling because of gaps in the bike lane network, busy intersections to cross, or other real or perceived pain points. And case study after case study shows that when cities create comfortable and convenient bike infrastructure, more people choose to ride bikes."

"There's a similar issue with public transportation that urbanists seem afraid to talk about: If people feel unsafe using the subway or local bus, they'll find another way to reach their destination. The feeling might come from witnessing violence on the subway, from knowing their city has decriminalized shoplifting, or from trying to explain to their kids why a person on the bus is yelling at strangers. If people don't feel safe and secure on public transit, they're going to do what they can to opt out."

"A safe systems approach to transportation involves enforcement, and that makes some urbanists and city planners uncomfortable post-2020. I get it-you don't want the boys in blue dragging someone into a squad car for not paying a $2 fare. But the average American is aware of stories much more disturbing than a teenager hopping a subway turnstile."

A multimodal city must account for why many people choose cars for short trips. Gaps in bike lane networks, busy intersections, and other real or perceived pain points lead many people to opt out of cycling, while comfortable, convenient bike infrastructure increases ridership. Safety concerns similarly deter transit use when riders witness violence, observe antisocial behavior, or perceive lenient enforcement. A safe-systems approach to transportation includes enforcement measures, which have become contentious since 2020. U.S. Department of Transportation data indicate substantial increases in transit homicides and assaults between 2020–2024 versus 2015–2019, underscoring the stakes for transit safety.

Read at Fast Company