Using Photovoice to Explore Teenagers’ Public Transit Experiences in a Suburban City

Abstract

For many children, the transition to adolescence coincides with the expansion of everyday activities with teenagers taking up transit use to facilitate greater independent mobility and spatial exploration. This paper describes a photovoice exploration of public transit travel of 28 teenagers, 13 to 19 years of age, in Mississauga, Canada. The recorded experiences are grouped under four themes: access; safety; comfort and flexibility; and activity stacking. Findings may offer insights into local transport policies aimed at improving level of service for teenagers and other patrons including reduced group fares, design improvements, and onboard Wi-Fi connectivity.