Analysis of Barriers to Accessing Urban Public Transport Services by Vulnerable Populations in Nigeria
Abstract
This study analyzes the critical barriers hindering access to urban public transport services (UPTS) for vulnerable populations in Nigerian cities, specifically Lagos and Abuja. Focusing on groups including the elderly, persons with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, the unemployed, and school children, the research identifies multi-dimensional barriers spanning infrastructural, economic, safety, institutional, and attitudinal domains. Using a survey of 364 respondents and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the findings reveal that the most significant barriers vary by group but consistently include lack of investment in inclusive transport infrastructure, inadequacy of pedestrian support systems, safety concerns, poverty, and discriminatory practices. The study concludes that current urban transport systems systematically exclude vulnerable populations. It recommends that policymakers and urban planners prioritize targeted interventions, such as enforcing universal design standards, implementing fare subsidies, and reforming discriminatory policies, to develop an equitable and inclusive urban mobility framework in Nigeria.
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