07 Jul What do children expect from public transportation in the future?

In June 2021, four workshops with primary school children took place in Seestadt as part of the CATAPULT project. The theme of the workshop was to let the children talk about their experiences of using public transport. They also reported about their needs and drew their wishes concerning the design of public transport, as well as the way to the bus stop.

The experiences of the pupils were very different. While some experienced public transport as dirty, boring and noisy, others found bus and metro travel cool and varied. Crowds and lots of people were unpleasant for all the children, especially because it was not uncommon for them to be pushed or get a bag in the face. The majority of the children were sceptical about autonomous buses without bus drivers. Being safe on the road is an important aspect for the children when using public transport. A bus driver conveys a feeling of safety because an adult contact person is available.  At a bus stop, the children would like to see more comfortable seating as well as toilets at each stop. They would also like to see TVs, play equipment, drink and food vending machines in the station area. In general, they would like to see more colourful stations and transport centres with flowers and trees.