What access-for-all entails? Examining commuting experiences from subjective and objective accessibility in a fast-growing city, Jakarta

Abstract

This research aims to comprehend commuting experiences in rapidly growing metropolis from the perspective of accessibility, especially subjective accessibility, to better understand barriers and opportunities to using public transport. We examined Jakarta as an exemplar city experiencing an ever-increasing car dependency despite proactive policies and projects for modal shift. A qualitative descriptive method is used to investigate the nuances of individual experiences across mode and incomes. In-depth analysis of 110 questionnaires indicated that the public transport users perceived a higher-level accessibility due to convenience, affordability, and no congestion, while private transport users had low-level perception. The stereotypes of public transport appeared to nullify the benefits of public transport. Furthermore, most individuals had complicated attitudes about a certain mode, and positive feeling was not necessarily related to mode choice. For “access-for-all”, considering objective and subjective measures holistically is essential for interrogating critical issues of transport system and optimizing positive travel experiences.