Abstract

This study examines the impact of public transit proximity on life satisfaction in Cali, Colombia, using the 2019 CaliBRANDO data. Surprisingly, the findings reveal a negative relationship (effect sizes of about 0.3-0.5 on a 0-10 life satisfaction scale) between public transit proximity and life satisfaction, challenging conventional urban policy interventions. The effect size reported is comparable to a decrease in one’s satisfaction due to health deteriorating by one step, say from «very good» to «good». The study’s findings have significant implications for urban development and public transit initiatives in similar urban settings.