Psychosocial Barriers and Travel Behavior: Public Transport Challenges for People with Disabilities

Public transport is vital for social and economic life, but many people with disabilities still face exclusion due to both physical and psychosocial barriers. This study examined how psychosocial barriers influence public transport travel behavior among people with mobility, vision, and hearing disabilities in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. A quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire among 214 respondents. The results showed that fear of crime, lack of personal safety, anxiety when travelling alone or to unfamiliar places, and negative treatment by drivers and co-passengers are major deterrents to public transport use. Psychosocial barriers were significantly associated with travel behavior and a strong preference for private cars as well as ride-hailing services. Group comparisons revealed that individuals with vision disabilities experience significantly higher levels of transport-related fear compared to other groups. People with mobility and vision disabilities are more affected by negative attitudes from co-passengers compared to people with hearing disabilities. Psychosocial barriers are associated with low trip frequencies for non-essential activities, indicating suppressed travel. The study concludes that achieving inclusive urban mobility requires addressing psychosocial barriers alongside physical accessibility to ensure safe, dignified, and independent travel for people with disabilities.