Barriers and facilitators of public transport use among people with disabilities: a scoping review.
C R Mwaka, K L Best, C Cunningham and 2 others
PMID 38283669WHAT IT FOUND
People with disabilities face barriers at every step of public transport use, from walking to the stop to riding the bus.
Physical issues like steep ramps and social issues like driver attitudes were common. Travel training may help improve confidence and reduce fear.
Key findings
01Physical barriers such as steep ramp angles, lack of ramps, and steps at vehicle entrances prevent boarding, while social barriers include drivers refusing to deploy ramps or kneel buses.
02Personal factors like low self-efficacy, lack of knowledge about the transit system, and fear of injury act as barriers to using public transport.
03Travel training for people with disabilities and older adults has been shown to improve self-efficacy, knowledge of the system, and satisfaction with travel experiences.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review only included studies published in English and French, potentially excluding relevant research from other regions. The search strategy, while broad, may have missed specialized studies on public transport accessibility. The included studies varied widely in design (mostly qualitative and cross-sectional), limiting the ability to draw strong causal conclusions about intervention effectiveness. The review did not include studies focusing solely on technology use or paratransit services, so findings apply specifically to fixed-route public transport.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation-réadaptation, and Office des personnes handicapées du Québec. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that travel training alone solves public transport access issues. The review highlights that physical and social barriers, such as broken ramps and negative driver attitudes, persist despite individual training efforts. Systemic changes are required alongside clinical interventions.