Bussegregationen

Bussegregationen refers to policies or practices that separate passengers on public buses along lines such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or other characteristics. It can involve dedicated seating areas, separate vehicles or sections, restricted access, or signage directing certain groups to specific parts of the system. In essence, it describes formal or informal attempts to create ordered division among riders within public transit.

Historically, bussegregationen has emerged in various contexts. In the United States, segregation on buses was part of the wider Jim Crow system, culminating in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955–56 and subsequent legal rulings that led to desegregation of buses. In other regions, such as apartheid-era South Africa, transport facilities were segregated by race. Mechanisms have included explicit seating charts, separate entrances or waiting areas, and the use of different buses or routes for different groups.

In modern public transport, most countries prohibit discrimination and strive for equal access to services. However, debates persist about safety, comfort, and cultural norms, leading to practices such as women-only seats or buses in certain places or times, aiming to reduce harassment while protecting rights of all passengers. Legal frameworks typically address bussegregationen through anti-discrimination laws and constitutional or human rights protections, with operators balancing safety, accessibility, and equitable treatment of riders.