Urban Transport and Labour Supply Dynamics of Women: A Two-Generational Study of Women In Delhi

Aims and Objectives: The research aims to explore labor supply dynamics and changes in commuting patterns and preferences of educated middle-class urban women in the context of improved urban connectivity resulting from the growth of the Delhi Metro Rail Network. It also seeks to identify connectivity-related constraints that women still face and propose ways to address these issues to increase women’s access to work.

Methodology: The study was conducted in the Delhi-NCR region and included a survey of 231 households, covering a total of 462 women aged 20-65 years. The survey focused on three categories of women based on their working status: those who have never worked outside the home, those who previously traveled to work but have since left their jobs, and those currently commuting to and from their workplace. Qualitative data was collected through personal interviews with a purposive sub-sample of 30 working women. Additionally, case studies were conducted, including women of different age groups who regularly use the metro.

Findings:

• Debate on Female LFPR: Official estimates of female Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) are often inaccurate. Accurate data collection through large, representative sample surveys is crucial, requiring skilled investigators and close supervision.
• Factors Affecting Job Market Participation: Strengthening factors that facilitate women’s participation in the job market and addressing challenges and constraints is essential.
• Promoting Economic Growth: Achieving lower unemployment levels, higher female LFPR, and Sustainable Development Goal 8 requires promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth with a focus on “livelihood-led” growth that centers women and disadvantaged socio-economic groups.
• Metro Connectivity: Expansion within the Delhi NCR region and other metropolitan areas is needed.
• Frequency and Capacity: Increase the frequency of metro trains and the number of coaches, especially during peak hours.
• Safety and Security: Real-time monitoring of CCTV footage, police presence in each train, immediate remedial action where safety issues are noticed, and displaying information on FIRs lodged to deter criminal behavior.
• Affordability: Keeping metro fares low to ensure affordability, recognizing the massive positive externalities of metro travel.

Outcomes:

Overcrowding, affordability and last-mile connectivity were among the major concerns flagged by women commuting to work. The study recommended overcoming challenges due to overcrowding by increasing the frequency of trains and the number of coaches in each train; monitoring CCTV footage on a real time basis with immediate remedial action taken where any kind of misbehaviour was noticed, Functional street lights, frequent plying of e-rickshaws and taxis operated by women in the evening hours and better police patrolling were important for improving last mile connectivity. Sensitivity to the difficulties faced by the elderly or those who are disabled was important and the metro system must become more user-friendly.

The research findings were presented in Seminars and were published in two journals

1)      Tayal, D., & Mehta, A. K. (2023). The struggle to balance work and family life during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights based on the situations of working women in Delhi. Journal of Family Issues, 44(6), 1423-1465. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0192513X211058817

2)      Tayal, D., & Mehta, A. K. (2021). Working Women, Delhi Metro and Covid-19: A Case Study in Delhi-NCR, Indian Journal of Labour Economics, April. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41027-021-00313-1