Making Mobility a Commodity - Rising Transit Fares and their Impact on Finances, Well-being and Social Participation of the Lowest Income Group

Abstract

This study investigates how the recent fare increase for the “Leipzig-Pass-Deutschlandticket” has affected individuals receiving unemployment benefits in Leipzig. While discounted public transport is typically designed to support social inclusion, rising costs may now create new barriers for those already living in financial precarity. The study uses a qualitative approach to explore how such fare changes influence mobility behavior, financial stress, subjective well-being, and social participation. Data was collected through nine semi-structured interviews with affected individuals and analyzed thematically. The analysis draws on Preston and Rajé’s (2007) model of transport-related social exclusion, as well as broader theories of social exclusion (Sen, 2000; Levitas, 2005) and Walzer’s (1983) theory of justice. The findings reveal six central themes revolving around financial pressure, limited mobility, psychological strain, social isolation, experiences of stigma, and restricted autonomy. Participants reported struggling to balance transport costs with essential expenses like food and electricity, and many described feelings of shame, stress, and loss of control over their daily lives. While spatial access to public transport remains, effective accessibility, which is defined as the ability to reach important destinations in a meaningful and autonomous way, is sometimes out of reach. These results suggest that affordability, while necessary, does not guarantee inclusion; flexible and dignified mobility options are equally important. The study highlights the importance of understanding public transport not just as infrastructure or policy, but as a lived experience shaped by intersecting forms of exclusion. It calls for more socially sensitive transport policies that address both material needs and the emotional and psychological dimensions of mobility.