Transportation accessibility for people with disabilities: Examining preferences for conventional public transport and ride-hailing services in Indonesia

Abstract

Transportation is essential for facilitating economic, social, and political interactions by supporting population mobility, and ensuring accessibility is central to both mobility equality and social justice. In this context, people with disabilities (PwD), the world’s largest minority group, face significant barriers in accessing transportation, making it crucial to understand their transportation mode preferences. This study examines the likelihood of PwD selecting conventional public transportation and ride-hailing services as their primary mode of travel. Using data from Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) Indonesia, logistic regression analyses, rare event logistic regression analyses, and heterogeneity tests across demographic and geographical groups show that PwD are significantly less likely to use conventional public transportation compared to non-disabled individuals, whereas no significant difference is observed for ride-hailing services. The findings are consistent across gender, urban–rural, and Java-outside Java classifications, except for females, where no significant difference in public transport use was found. Additionally, the GIS-based thematic mapping of residuals reveals notable variations, particularly when comparing Java to areas outside Java. This indicates that regional disparities significantly influence service utilization patterns among individuals with disabilities. Finally, the study provides theoretical, practical, and policy implications, suggesting potential avenues for future research and contributing to a more inclusive understanding of transportation accessibility.