Evaluation of the accessibility of public transport facilities by physically challenged commuters in Ilorin Town, Nigeria

Abstract

Following the persistent outcry of disabled persons over non accessibility to public transport facilities in Ilorin town, Nigeria, this study examined the plight of physically challenged commuters in accessing public transport facilities in the town. Questionnaires were administered to 201 disabled commuters who use public transport facilities in the study area. Facility condition inspection was also used to evaluate accessibility and user satisfaction. Results of the study revealed that; male disabled persons travelled at relatively high rate of 76.10% compared to the female folks at 23.90%. The common disability among disabled persons was physical disability at the rate of 77.10%, while visual disability was 22.90%. Travel demand among disabled persons showed that teenagers and adults travelled at relatively higher rate of 10.00% and 84.00% respectively compared to the aged at 6.00%. Begging and work trip purposes had relatively high rate of 29.35% and 21.38% respectively compared to other trip purposes. The commonest nature of disability among commuters included; wheelchair user, sight impairment and hearing difficulty at 25.40%, 22.90% and 18.90% respectively. Uneducated and disabled persons with primary education rated high in the sampled population at 36.80% and 29.90% respectively. Accessibility rating and physical inspection revealed the poor state of public transport facilities in Ilorin town leading to human right infringement, social exclusion and inequality among city dwellers. Therefore, right to travel and access to basic facilities as stipulated in the Nigerians Disability Decree of 1993 to enhance livability and ensure equality among city dwellers were ignored. The construction of public transport facilities to bear sidewalks, ramps, traffic control devices, bus stop shelter and good drainage systems to conform to international best practices in Ilorin town was recommended.