Accessibility of Urban Public Transportation for People with Disabilities(A SLR 2019-2025)

Abstract

Accessible public transport underpins equal participation in city life, yet many people with disabilities still face trips that are harder, slower, and less safe than they should be. Using PRISMA methods, we reviewed English-language studies in Scopus from 2019–2025. The initial search returned 1,217 records. After refining the query and screening titles/abstracts, 243 remained; 180 full texts were assessed; and 64 studies met the criteria for synthesis. Across the “trip chain,” barriers clustered in four places: the physical environment (gaps, steps, and weak first/last-mile links), information (ticketing and journey details that are not accessible), service (unreliable assistance and staff who lack training), and cost (fares and device expenses). The most promising fixes paired universal design upgrades with service and governance reforms—for example, step-free access, trained staff, and accessible real-time information, sometimes complemented by paratransit/on-demand integration or targeted fare relief. Because outcomes and study designs varied widely, we employed narrative synthesis rather than conducting a meta-analysis. Important gaps remain: rural and intercity contexts are understudied, and evidence for intersectional groups (e.g., women with disabilities, wheelchair users) is thin. We ask two questions that stem from these patterns: which barriers and facilitators most frequently influence the four domains, and how do multicomponent packages compare to single measures in improving access, travel time, safety, and participation.