Join us in learning more about popular transport, a term that describes informal transport solutions often created by poorer people in less accessible urban areas. Andrea San Gil Léon, a leading expert in sustainable transport and Executive Director of the Global Network for Popular Transportation (GNFPT), shares her perspectives on why popular transport is so important and how to best bring it into the debate about urban sustainability.
Understanding Popular Transport
Popular transport is essentially public transport services provided by private operators, often filling gaps left by formal transport systems. Andrea explains, “This type of transport comes from people to the people, providing essential services when public options are limited.” These services are critical in many parts of the Global South, where formalized public transport systems may not reach all areas or meet the demand. Known as “piratas, “colectivos”, “tuk tuks”, “rickshaws” or “bora boras”, they serve millions of people. Up to 70 percent of all trips done in road transport around the world are done using popular transport, according to the GNFPT.
Andrea highlights the importance of terminology, stating that naming matters: “We propose using ‘popular transport’ because it describes the service for what it is—popular and widely used—rather than what it is not.” Terms like “informal” or “paratransit” can carry negative connotations, suggesting these services are inferior or unregulated. By recognizing popular transport for its positive attributes, we can better appreciate its role and potential.
Mastering context
Popular transport often emerges out of necessity. Andrea notes, “It’s a solution that people develop because they need to move, and there are not enough options provided by the authorities.” These services adapt to local conditions—whether it’s a minibus navigating mountain roads or boats in island towns. Over time, some systems become more professional and integrated with formal transport networks, often with support from local authorities.
Andrea points out that popular transport providers are entrepreneurs, offering essential services despite being labeled as chaotic or unorganized. “These are SMEs—small and medium enterprises—that provide livelihoods for many,” she explains. While these systems might seem disorganized, they often have their own structures, such as cooperatives or associations, ensuring they meet community needs effectively. According to Andrea, a lot of cities now have very robust public transport systems that started out as small-scale popular transport networks.
Other aspects of popular transport that Andrea and her colleagues at the Global Network for Popular Transportation see as positive are its thorough organization and its community-based origin. At the same time, popular transport always responds to the context and can look very different from one city to the next, adapting to factors such as geography, weather, and local industries.
Decarbonizing Popular Transport
“Popular transport IS public transport”, Andrea emphasizes. Decarbonizing the sector is an important issue. Since popular transport is shared transport, it already reduces emissions by offering an alternative to the private vehicle. This is in line with TUMI’s avoid-shift-improve approach. To improve popular transport, integrating it with public transport is a viable solution, for example through offering the same public transport cards for payment.
Andrea also explains the importance of making electrification attractive to small and medium enterprises: “For example, there are new models that involve battery swapping so people don’t have to buy an electric motorcycle with a battery, which is the most expensive part. Rather, they could lease the vehicle, operate it, and then swap the batteries at stations as if they were charging fuel.” She emphasizes that financial mechanisms for electrification need to adapt to the reality of the sector.
In addition, popular transport encapsulates gender and social equity aspects. “We keep punishing the most vulnerable parts of the population for finding a solution to their transport needs. But I actually think that popular transport is a powerful asset for cities. Formalizing it is not the end goal, but rather, we should improve the sector, integrate it, and provide the best possible service for its users.”
The potential for popular transport to contribute to a sustainable, decarbonized transport system in cities is enormous. Andrea envisions a future where it is integrated into city planning and policy, making public transport more accessible, cutting emissions, and improving the quality of life for millions.