Mobility Patterns of People with Disabilities in Public Transport: A Case Study in Serbia

Abstract

The utilization of public transport by people with disabilities presents significant challenges, as the services offered are often inaccessible and fail to meet the diverse needs of users. Despite attempts to improve accessibility, these solutions are often partial and poorly planned, resulting in limited connectivity to daily activities. Therefore, increasing the usage of public transport by people with disabilities requires a multifaceted approach. In this context, a research study was conducted in the Republic of Serbia through open-ended questionnaires to investigate mobility patterns, primarily focusing on rail traffic and extending to other modes of transport. The study reveals several problems, highlighting the need for collaborative interventions among authorities, transport service providers, and people with disabilities. This is the first study in the Republic of Serbia to investigate this issue, and the results indicate that the process of improving accessibility is iterative and requires ongoing monitoring to assess progress and mutual understanding. To improve the usage of railways and public transport by people with disabilities, it is essential to implement interventions that target the identified issues.