On September 2, 2016, the Public Defender of Georgia started to study the gender-based distribution of tickets and seats in transport by JSC Metro Georgia on his own initiative, as he considered that this existing practice might be encouraging segregation of men and women. According to the regulation, the passenger has the right to buy a ticket only beside a person of the same sex. The company explained that the similar distribution of tickets was requested by passengers, as they want to travel at night with persons of the same sex.

In order to eliminate the discriminatory practice, the Public Defender proposed Metro Georgia to add a parameter on its website, which would enable passengers to electronically express their position about whether or not they agree that people of different sex buy a ticket next to their seats.

It should be noted that the JSC Metro Georgia expressed its readiness to carry out the abovementioned change and the company started to work on the issue, which may last several months.

The Public Defender welcomes the decision of JSC Metro Georgia and considers that the abovementioned is a successful example of cooperation on the issues of discrimination. In addition, the Public Defender emphasizes the special role of citizens in the fight for equality and once again calls on the private sector to observe the principle of equality.