Keolis, in partnership with Toluna, a market research firm, conducted a study showing that, regardless of country or culture, expectations for public transportation are remarkably similar. However, how networks are used remains strongly influenced by local realities and the specific characteristics of each community.
From the users’ perspective, the priorities are clear: more accessible services, higher frequencies, broader coverage, and a high level of safety, both on board vehicles and around transport networks.
Through Keoscopie—Keolis’ research program dedicated to analyzing mobility behaviors—and with the support of Toluna, the study was conducted on a sample of 8,000 residents across 20 metropolitan areas* and 11 countries**. From the Netherlands to Australia, from Sweden to India, and from the United States to the United Arab Emirates, the research represents one of the most comprehensive analyses of urban mobility and citizens’ expectations.
Thus, in cities thousands of kilometers apart—from Amsterdam to Hyderabad and from Stockholm to Montreal—the message conveyed by citizens is surprisingly uniform. Regardless of the urban or cultural context, the demands are nearly identical: more transportation options, more affordable fares, and a higher level of safety.
This convergence suggests the existence of a genuine “global voice” of passengers, one that spans continents and vastly different mobility systems yet expresses the same fundamental priorities.
A global voice for public transit
The study’s findings paint an extremely clear picture: almost everywhere in the world, improving public transit is at the top of citizens’ priorities. From Amsterdam and Hyderabad to Austin and Gothenburg, the same common direction emerges—one of the most relevant conclusions of the research.
This convergence demonstrates that expectations regarding public transport transcend cultural, economic, or infrastructure differences. At the same time, it raises a crucial question: why does this nearly universal consensus continue to be difficult to translate into public policies capable of fully meeting these demands?
Globally, public transportation is primarily associated with accessibility and ease of use, a sign that urban networks have become an essential component of daily mobility. However, this positive image is accompanied by a challenge increasingly cited by passengers: overcrowding, the result of demand growing faster than available capacity.
Essentially, people do not dispute the role of public transit or its cost advantage over the car. They are calling for more frequent services, greater capacity, and a higher-quality travel experience. Globally, reducing the cost of public transportation, increasing service frequency, and improving on-board safety form the trio of priorities that define the current urban mobility agenda.
Where the car remains dominant
Although there is a global consensus on expectations for public transportation, priorities differ in regions where the private car remains the primary mode of travel. In Melbourne and Boston, up to 30% of residents believe that improving traffic conditions and expanding parking facilities should be a priority, compared to just 19% in Gothenburg. At the same time, reducing fuel costs is supported by 25% of respondents in Australia and the United States, compared to only 13% in Copenhagen.
The results suggest that these differences are closely linked to the degree of dependence on cars. In countries where public transportation is widely used, such as the Nordic countries and the Benelux, the share allocated to the development of public transportation services reaches 52% of hypothetical investment budgets, compared to just 36% in the United States.
Lower fares, not necessarily free
Although the idea of free public transportation continues to be appealing in public debate, most citizens seem to prefer more affordable fares rather than total free access. In cities such as Copenhagen, Manchester, or Stockholm, nearly one in two respondents supports reducing the cost of travel, while in Paris and Gothenburg, support leans more toward a balance between affordability and service quality.
Many passengers associate free public transit with risks such as overcrowding, a decline in service quality, or safety issues, which is why they tend to support investments in networks and service improvements. The exceptions are Amsterdam and Brussels, where support for free public transit is higher, thanks to efficient networks and a well-established culture of public transit use.
Digitalization and Safety: The New Challenges
Digitalization has become a central element of modern mobility. Over 80% of respondents say that apps, e-tickets, and real-time information simplify their travel, and more than 60% believe it would be difficult for them to travel without these tools.
However, nearly one-third of participants admit they have stopped using certain transportation services due to insufficient digital skills, with the percentage rising to 52% in Hyderabad and 38% in Copenhagen and Dubai.
At the same time, safety remains one of passengers’ top concerns. Eight out of ten public transit users have adopted at least one strategy in the past year to avoid situations they perceive as unsafe. The phenomenon is particularly pronounced among young people: 94% of those aged 18 to 24 say they have changed their behavior for safety reasons, compared to 67% of those over 65. The results show that the perception of safety influences mobility almost as strongly as reality itself.
*The survey includes 400 respondents per metropolitan area and was conducted between 2025 and 2026
**11 countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, India, and France
Share on:
