Public transport supply in rural Sweden: Examining distribution through the lens of equity

Abstract

Like in several other European countries, rural areas in Sweden face significant challenges related to public transport accessibility that are driven by demographic and economic shifts, including population decline and urbanization. This study adopts a supply-side perspective, focusing on whether services are available and accessible in the vicinity of people's place of residence, and evaluates inequalities in public transport provision through the lenses of horizontal equity (distribution across the general population) and vertical equity (provision for marginalised groups). Using high-resolution grid-level population data and General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, we construct four indicators—service frequency, proximity to stops, number of routes, and accessibility—that are synthesised into a Public Transport Supply Index (PTSI). Horizontal equity is assessed through Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients, while vertical equity is analysed by comparing PTSI values across ranges of socio-economic groups. Results reveal pronounced disparities between more densely populated and rural areas, where more densely populated areas exhibit higher PTSI values. Nonetheless, despite these disparities, the study identifies relatively high equity in transport provision, particularly for groups such as low-income households and young adults.