Gap between Policymakers’ Priorities and Users’ Needs in Planning for Accessible Public Transit System

Abstract

Access to public transit forms a vital part of the well-being of people with disabilities. However, people with disabilities continue to be challenged in accessing their local transit services. This study investigates the existence of any gaps in users’ needs and practitioners’ prioritization of accessibility features. Senior practitioners deemed experts in the field from cities in New Zealand were invited to participate. Data were analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process to determine the ranking of nine accessibility factors. The most important factors identified by practitioners are crossing facilities (0.19) followed by access to stops/stations (0.17), and quality of footpaths (0.13), all of which are parts of the built environment. The least important factors are vegetation (0.047) and information at stops (0.058), whereas users placed more weight on information at stops (0.097) and vegetation (0.089). Bus driver attitude accounted for the largest disparity in prioritization between the two groups with a difference of 0.137. The study highlights the need to shift prioritization closer to the needs of people with disabilities to eliminate barriers.