TMB awarded by UITP as a global benchmark for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in public transport

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is the international benchmark for diversity, inclusion and gender equality, and the fight against discrimination and sexual harassment in public transport. This was recognized by the International Union of Transport (UITP), which awarded TMB the UITP Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality, during UITP’s MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition held in Dubai. The award recognizes TMB’s commitment and work in this field, implemented through its anti-harassment and LGBTI-phobia plans, as well as various internal actions with TMB staff and users, to promote equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

TMB’s CEO, Gerardo Lertxundi, collected the award at a ceremony to present the eight prestigious international awards of the Union International Public Transport (UITP), the only global association that brings together all stakeholders in public and sustainable transport. TMB President Laia Bonet said that «this award encourages us to continue working for a more inclusive and integrated public transport, giving visibility to talented women in a very masculinized sector».

TMB, zero tolerance with discrimination and harassment

One of the lines of work highlighted by the jury are the plans for preventing sex-related harassment and LGBTI-phobia on public transport networks (metro and buses in Barcelona and 10 other cities in the metropolitan area, in the case of TMB). The measures include completing the installation of cameras – currently numbering more than 8,000 (between trains and stations) – with real-time transmission to all trains on the metro network and checking the lighting in the facilities. In addition, all buses will have online video surveillance through a project already underway and set to end in the first quarter of next year. Another essential measure which will be stepped up is staff training to improve customer service for public transport users, as well as to increase awareness of equality and nondiscrimination.

Public transport with a gender perspective

All the measures for tackling sexual and sex-related harassment and against LGBTI phobia try to ensure that everyone can travel safely and with peace of mind, generating respectful and welcoming spaces of coexistence. Application of the gender perspective in TMB’s actions is also reflected in other lines of action, such as the drawing up of equality plans, the promotion of actions to boost and attract female talent, campaigns to women who do jobs traditionally done by men, or educational workshops to promote the incorporation of a gender perspective in the field of sustainable mobility. TMB too has a long history of developing technical projects for universal accessibility (an area where it is an international benchmark), with the aim of making the public transport networks a service for everyone, regardless of their social and personal circumstances. Accordingly, and with the aim of continuing to contribute to a more cohesive social model, TMB has made a firm commitment to move forward with these types of initiatives, highlighting difference as a source of social and organisational wealth.