Last March 09, we at CMC had the honor of hosting a panel discussion together with our partners at the Better Air Quality (BAQ) Conference in Bangkok, focusing on a critical topic: Enabling Accessible, Inclusive, and Clean Public Transport Systems through Innovative Fare Systems in Asian Countries.

One of the most rewarding parts of the discussion was simply being in the same room with partners from across the region—exchanging ideas face to face and hearing firsthand how cities are tackling shared mobility challenges. It was a morning filled with inspiring insights, practical lessons, and real stories from cities that are reshaping urban mobility for people—not just infrastructure.

OPENING THOUGHTS: WHY CITIES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT MATTER

Dr. Sheilah Napalang opened the session by highlighting the growing role cities play in solving transport challenges. Public transport systems, she noted, aren’t just about moving people—they’re central to economic resilience and social inclusion. When transport fails, the effects ripple across employment, education, healthcare, and everyday opportunities. Strengthening these systems is crucial not only for mobility but for ensuring that cities remain vibrant, accessible, and equitable.

Following her, Aslihan Tümer, CMC’s Director, set the stage for the discussion. She reminded us that expanding railways or bus fleets is just part of the picture—how these systems operate and whom they serve is equally important. Affordable, equitable access is key, and cities must ask: who truly benefits from these transport systems? Innovative fare policies, smart subsidies, and inclusive design are essential tools to make transport both fair and climate-friendly.

LEARNING FROM CITIES: SUCCESS STORIES

1. India’s Gender-Responsive Fare Programs

Rhea Karan from Purpose shared insights from India’s Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women. Women’s mobility in India faces structural barriers —safety concerns, fragmented travel patterns, and caregiving responsibilities— all of which impact workforce participation. Programs like the Pink Ticket in Delhi and Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme, which has already issued over five billion tickets, aim to address these challenges.

As a result, women report major cost savings, increased access to jobs and education, and greater freedom to travel independently. But affordability alone isn’t enough. Rhea emphasized that ensuring safety, shifting public perceptions, and training transport staff are just as critical to achieving gender-just mobility.

2. Electrifying and Integrating Jakarta’s Public Transport

Rifqi Khoirul Anam of ITDP Indonesia highlighted Jakarta’s journey toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and electrified transport system. Through the TransJakarta network, the city integrates buses and microbuses, maintains low fares, and is pioneering fleet electrification—with 470 electric buses already in operation.

Jakarta also uses service contracting for microbus operators, ensuring reliable coverage and adherence to service standards. As a result, by 2022, about 87% of residents were served by the network. Electrification isn’t just eco-friendly—it brings socio-economic benefits, generating an estimated 2.4 times the investment value in community benefits.

3. Quezon City’s Free Bus Program

Michael Victor Nepomuceno Alimurung from Quezon City shared how the QCity Bus Program bridges gaps in Metro Manila’s fragmented public transport system. Initially launched to support frontline workers during the pandemic, it has grown into a city-led mobility network with 89 buses, including electric vehicles, 151 designated stops, and eight interconnected routes.

The program focuses on social equity, linking residents to jobs, education, and services. Over five years, it has carried nearly 43 million passengers. Despite challenges like traffic congestion and funding, the city treats public transport as a vital public service, not just a profit-driven system—a perspective that frames the program as an economic stimulus rather than a subsidy.

KEY THEMES FROM THE DISCUSSION

Throughout the session, several lessons stood out:

• People first: Public transport must prioritize equity and inclusion, not just infrastructure.

• Fare policies matter: Subsidies, like gender-responsive programs, can significantly improve access for vulnerable groups.

• Innovative governance works: Service contracting models enhance reliability while keeping services affordable.

• Sustainability pays off: Electrifying fleets isn’t just good for the environment; it creates broader socio-economic benefits.

• Cities as innovators: Local initiatives provide inspiring models that can be adapted for national reforms or replicated in other cities.

Panelists also emphasized that mobility isn’t just about moving from A to B—it’s about redistributing access to opportunities, enabling inclusive growth, and addressing climate goals.

CLOSING REFLECTIONS

Dr. Sheilah Napalang closed the session by highlighting how innovative fare systems, subsidies, and electrification can transform public transport into services that are not just environmentally sustainable but socially inclusive. Transport isn’t just infrastructure; it’s an investment in people, economic opportunity, and climate action.

This panel at the Better Air Quality (BAQ) Conference in Bangkok, reminded us that cities have the power—and responsibility—to create transport systems that truly serve everyone. By combining policy reform, sustainable financing, and inclusive planning, we can move toward a future where urban mobility connects people to opportunities, reduces emissions, and fosters social equity.

What makes gatherings like BAQ so valuable is seeing people come together, sharing experiences, learning from each other, and leaving inspired by what cities can achieve. Moments like these remind us why this work matters—and the incredible impact collaboration can have.