2005年-世界发展银行全球_Affordability_of_Public_Transport_in_Developing_Countries_27页_345kb

Summary of "Affordability of Public Transport in Developing Countries"

Core Content

This document, titled Affordability of Public Transport in Developing Countries, explores the challenges of urban public transport affordability in various regions, including Latin America, South Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa. It introduces the Affordability Index, a tool to measure the proportion of income spent on public transport, and discusses its implications for the urban poor. The report also highlights the broader paradoxes of urban transport strategy, emphasizing the interplay between transport costs, income distribution, and urban development.

Main Points and Key Findings

1. The Fundamental Paradox of Urban Transport Strategy

• Indirect and Direct Poverty Reduction: Urban transport can reduce poverty through economic growth and by improving access to essential services for the poor.
• Market Failures: Despite high demand, public transport fails to meet the needs of the poor, unlike sectors such as telecommunications, water, and energy.
• Congestion and Pollution: Urban growth leads to increased vehicle ownership and congestion, which negatively affects the poor.
• Distributional Effects: As cities expand, the poor are pushed to the periphery, increasing their transport costs and reducing access to opportunities.
• Strategies to Address the Paradox: The report outlines four key strategies: structural change, improved operational efficiency, targeted interventions for the poor, and institutional reform.

2. The Concept of Affordability

• Definition: Affordability refers to the ability to make necessary trips without sacrificing other essential activities.
• Index Formula:
  Affordability Index = Number of trips × Average cost per trip (as a percentage of per capita income)
• Importance for the Poor: For the very poor, transport costs can consume a significant portion of their income, making it unaffordable.

3. Affordability Across Regions and Cities

• Latin America (1988):

  • The Affordability Index varied from 33% in La Paz to 2% in Mexico City.
  • These figures are generally lower than those from more recent studies.

• Buenos Aires (2002):

  • The poorest quintile spent 31.6% of their income on public transport, while the average was 12.8%.
  • Fare evasion increased due to economic crisis.

• São Paulo (2003):

  • The poorest spent 40% of their income on transport, with over half going to personal transport.
  • The vale transporte (subsidy) did not cover all low-income groups.

• Belo Horizonte (2004):

  • Similar to São Paulo, the poorest spent over 14% of their income on transport.
  • The Affordability Index was highest in low-income areas with poor accessibility.

• Mumbai (2003):

  • The poorest spent 14.7% of their income on transport (fare and fuel only), while the highest income group spent 8.2%.
  • Public transport is the main mode, with over 40% of trips made by bus and rail.

• Delhi (2004):

  • The poorest spent over 18% of their income on transport, with walking being the most common mode.
  • A household in the outskirts of Delhi with an income of Rs 2000 would spend 25% on transport, while the lowest quintile would spend up to 50%.

• Islamabad (2004):

  • The poorest quintile spent over 40% of their income on transport.
  • Fares increased by 40-60% after the introduction of the franchise system.

• Eastern Europe:

  • Poor workers in cities like Sofia and Bucharest spend 24-32% of their income on transport.
  • Monthly passes offer a significant discount, reducing the share to 13-16% of income.

4. Data and Methodology

• The Affordability Index is based on the number of trips and the cost per trip as a percentage of per capita income.
• Data is collected from household surveys, travel studies, and policy analyses.
• The index is used to compare affordability across different cities and income groups.

5. Implications and Recommendations

• The Affordability Index highlights the significant burden of transport costs on the poor.
• The report suggests that targeted subsidies and improved service quality are essential to support the poor.
• Institutional reforms and better policy focus are needed to address the distributional effects of transport systems.

Key Information

• Affordability Index: A simple tool to assess the impact of transport costs on different income groups.
• Transport Cost Burden: For the poorest, transport can consume over 40% of their income, making it a significant financial strain.
• Urban Growth: Leads to increased congestion, pollution, and distributional inequality, worsening transport affordability for the poor.
• Policy Reforms: Necessary to ensure that transport services are both accessible and affordable for all, especially the urban poor.
• Challenges in Developing Countries: Limited data and inconsistent definitions make it difficult to compare affordability across cities, but the index provides a useful starting point.

Conclusion

The Affordability Index is a valuable tool for understanding the financial burden of urban transport on low-income populations. It underscores the need for policies that ensure transport services are not only efficient but also equitable, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization and increasing inequality in developing countries.