TRAINS, BUSES ANDAUTOMOBILES: KAREN LAMOLA'S LOVE OF SDG #11

Written by:  Karen Lamola, JPC, UNESCO Bangkok

 When I first meet someone, I never miss the chance to talk about three things: my love of food; my crazy family who I wouldn’t trade for anyone in the world; and my obsession with transit systems. I could talk your ear off about the first two, but you can just wait for my autobiography. Today, I really want to share my experiences with transit as a Junior Professional Consultant in Bangkok. I’m not quite sure when exactly my appreciation for transit began, but it has played a huge role in my life. From being a small child taking the bus to the dentist with my mom and younger brother, to waking up at 6 am to ride the bus to high school basketball tryouts, to making it a priority to consider when I move to a new place. The first thing I think of on my travels when I arrive at my destination is, “What is the cheapest, easiest and safest way to get to my hotel?”

Transit provides great insight into the cultural traits of a city. The way people line up for the bus probably is the way that they line up at the local bakery or market. When I was living in Málaga, Spain, upon arriving at the bus stop, you ask, Quien el último? Who is the last (to arrive)? That person will put up their hand and you know your place in the queue when the bus arrives. This also applies to fruit and vegetable stands and bakeries. If there is reserved seating for the elderly, nursing or pregnant mothers or those living with disabilities, they are valued in the community. Offering subsidized bus passes for those who are unable to afford regular fares or for students, demonstrates a recognition in the economic disparities that exist in the city.

Public transit is a builder of community and a promoter of sustainable practices. It breaks down barriers of isolation for vulnerable populations, such as those living in poverty and those living with disabilities. Good transport systems allow people to access jobs, services, education and to build community, helping them to have fulfilled lives (United Nations, 2016). Transit must be taken into consideration as cities grow and develop their urban planning. As outlined in Target 11.2 of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable),

“By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.”  (United Nations, 2019)

Transport as a key aspect of sustainable development was first recognized at the 1992 United Nation’s Earth Summit and was reinforced in the outcome document – Agenda 21. A five-year review of the implementation of Agenda 21 further noted that transport would “be expected to be the major driving force behind a growing world demand for energy” in the next twenty years (United Nations, 2019). Today, it is the largest end-use of energy in developed countries and the fastest growing on in most developed countries (United Nations, 2016). Transport is a cross-cutting theme. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development it has been mainstreamed across several SDGs and targets including food security, health, energy, economic growth, infrastructure, cities and human settlements (United Nations, 2019). Even in my work researching the barriers that prevent children and youth from accessing quality education, safe transportation is often identified as a barrier (UNESCO, 2018). The SaveKidsLIves campaign of the United Nations is based on the Child Declaration for Road Safety and aims to raise awareness of the dangers children face everyday on their travels to and from school. An example of a positive initiative that is a product of this campaign is the work of road safety NGO, Amend. In collaboration with schools, local authorities and civil society organizations, they have collaborated to improve road safety in Tanzania (United Nations, 2016). This initiative is part of a larger framework of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Development, whose aim is to “promote sustainable transport that is in line with inclusive and equitable growth, social development, protection of the global environment and ecosystems, and addressing climate change.” (United Nations, 2016)

  

In my experience searching for a place to live in Bangkok, access to transit was at top of mind and I was advised by colleagues to find an apartment close to the BTS SkyTrain. It was officially launched in December 1999 as the first electric mass transit system to be built in Thailand (Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited, 2018). What began with one line running 6.5 km has now expanded to two lines running a total of 49.05 km, connecting 43 stations. The train serves up to 1,000 passengers per journey, equivalent to the 250 vehicles on the road carrying the same number of commuters (Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited, 2018). Traffic congestion in cities resulting from dependency on cars and other forms motorized transportation has resulted in heavy economic losses attributed to time and fuel wastage, along with increased emissions. In Bangkok, time lost in traffic amounts to between 1% to 6% of GDP (United Nations, 2014). In speaking with my fellow JPCs based in other cities in the Asia Pacific Region who have visited Bangkok, they love the transit system. Options for transport in their country posts are limited to taxis, tuk tuks and motorcycles which are often time consuming, due to traffic, or don’t make them feel very safe because of lack of protective equipment. I am very thankful that the BTS will get me to and from work in 30 minutes or less. The fare is within my means, but I am aware there are Thais who opt for the bus because it is cheaper and stops closer to where they live. As an able-bodied individual, it is easy for me to navigate the BTS stations. However, for those who have limited mobility, it is hard to find the elevator to get you from the street to the platform.

Bangkok has placed itself on the map as a quickly growing city in a developing nation that is catering to the needs of its diverse populations, but there is still a ways to go in making adjustments to be more inclusive of vulnerable populations. As sustainable transport systems are rapidly introduced into markets, cities like Bangkok are uniquely positioned to bypass unstainable transport practices into the fast track for new, innovative and sustainable options. I look forward to witnessing their journey into this exciting, new frontier of building sustainable mobility for all.