Gendered mobility in Malta : influencing factors on travel choices

Abstract

Malta is one of the smallest member states, but has also one of the highest rates of motorization, in Europe. In 2010, the number of private vehicles per thousand population stood at 555. Seventy-one percent of all trips were carried out by car and only a small percentage of trips (22.6%) were carried out by other means (mainly bus and on foot). Malta’s economic development has progressed steadily since joining the European Union in 2004, and the islands have managed to avoid the impact of the global financial crisis, mostly due to island insularity. Heavy car dependence is a cause for concern as it is increasing congestion and pollution, and putting significant strain on infrastructure in an island with limited land and space resources. Gender differences in transport and mobility patterns are high. The 2010 Household Travel Survey reported that, whilst 60 per cent of frequent bus users were female, 61 per cent of non-bus-users were male. This gender disparity is also reflected in the population of licensed drivers and the car ownership patterns. The research aims to (i) study the mobility patterns of men and women in the islands and identify the changes that occurred over the 12-year period between 1998 and 2010, (ii) examine the relationships between transport patterns and selected socio-economic characteristics of females and men such as age, status and employment, and (iii) discuss the policy implications for future transport policy. This research uses the data of the 1998 and 2010 Household Travel Surveys to study the mobility patterns of men and women in the islands. In answering the research questions, descriptive statistics, correlations, co-variance and regression will be used. The research will provide a first ever review of gender based transport patterns in Malta and will highlight some of the more pressing concerns supporting future mobility. The study will conclude with a discussion on the policy implications for future transport as well as some interesting avenues for further research.