Transport Affordability Across Time and Space: Considerations for Latin America and the Caribbean and Other Global South Settings

The amount households and individuals spend on transport can be a source of economic stress and vulnerability, especially for those who use a disproportionate share of their income to access services. Over the years, transport affordability has evolved from a broad indicator of inequality to a more refined concept that explains socioeconomic barriers. This paper examines how transport affordability has been defined and measured in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the past three decades. It also discusses the relationship between affordability, accessibility, and transport-related social exclusion. The paper concludes with reflections on future research in LAC and other regions in the Global South.