Distributional effects of public transport policies in the Paris Region

This paper examines the distributional effects of alternative scenarios of urban public transport policies in the Paris Region using disaggregated data from the Global Transport Survey 2001–2002. We study two types of scenarios: fare adjustments, as in previous work, but also speed increase scenarios. We find that reducing public transport fares is progressive. Increasing the speed of public transport is also progressive whatever the mode. The most progressive option is to increase the speed of buses in the suburbs, while targeting the metro or the suburban rail are the least progressive alternatives. More generally, low-income individuals benefit more from fare reductions than from increases in public transport speed.

Research highlights► We find that reducing public transport fares in the Paris Region is progressive. ► Increasing the speed of public transport is also progressive whatever the mode. ► The most progressive option is to increase the speed of buses in the suburbs. ► Low-income individuals benefit more from fare reductions than from increases in public transport speed.