German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

German cities are offering vouchers or subsidies for taxi rides in the wake of growing violence against women, reports Marilen Martin for Bloomberg.

“In 2023, crimes against females increased in all categories, with sexual offenses surging by more than 6%, reaching 52,330 reported cases countrywide.” Cities like Mannheim and Munich (which will issue over 100,000 vouchers this year) are now paying for women to take cab rides when they have safety concerns.

“Such schemes have proved hugely popular with users, but their effectiveness in changing overall conditions remains a matter of debate,” Martin adds. The policy addresses immediate concerns but doesn’t get at the root problem of the violence. And not all women can afford the cost of longer rides to outlying areas, which vouchers don’t fully cover.

How can cities be made safer for women? “Apart from more lighting or police patrols, it can also mean designing cities that feel inclusive and revitalizing neglected public spaces. Having diverse people out in the streets at night — instead of only groups of men — also increases safety perceptions.” Cities and transit agencies can also work to increase representation among planners and designers to shift the male-centered perspective of urban planning.