The extent to which high-speed rail (HSR) could be socially egalitarian has been disregarded, despite evidence that upper social-occupational groups are the primary users of high-speed trains (HSTs). In this context, this review aims to fill the gap by investigating the social attributes of HSR passengers based on worldwide, available ex post data derived from surveys at both national and corridor levels. The study’s results converge to conclude that HSR passengers are predominantly male, higher income, highly educated and belonging to higher social-occupational groups. Key indicators of social inequalities (i.e. income, occupational group and education) show a much sharper differentiation in HSR use than gender and age. Social inequalities arguably shape the uneven use of HSR through available income compared to HSR fares; through income compared to total expenditure on non-business travel; and through travel purposes, considering the high share of business travel aboard HSTs. Our findings highlight “greener” transport means and policies may not be socially inclusive. They also raise the issue of facilities (co-)funded by taxpayers that do not benefit the masses.

尽管有证据表明上层社会职业群体是高速列车 (HST) 的主要用户，但高速铁路 (HSR) 的社会平等程度却被忽视了。在这种情况下，本次审查旨在通过调查基于全球范围内的高铁乘客的社会属性，以及从国家和走廊层面的调查得出的可用事后数据来填补这一空白。研究结果一致得出结论，高铁乘客主要是男性，收入较高，受过高等教育，属于较高的社会职业群体。社会不平等的关键指标（即收入、职业群体和教育）显示出高铁使用方面的差异比性别和年龄大得多。与高铁票价相比，社会不平等可以通过可用收入塑造高铁的不均衡使用；通过收入与非商务旅行总支出的比较；并通过旅行目的，考虑到 HST 上的高比例商务旅行。我们的研究结果强调“更环保”的交通方式和政策可能不具有社会包容性。他们还提出了由纳税人（共同）资助的设施的问题，这些设施不利于群众。