THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Accessible bus stops are essential to older adults’ safe, comfortable, and independent use of public transport. This study assessed older users’ perceptions of bus-stop accessibility along the Lagankhel–Dhungin bus route in Lalitpur District, Nepal. It examined the existing physical condition of stops, the principal barriers experienced by older passengers, and the improvements they considered most necessary. A route-based cross-sectional design combined structured field observations with a questionnaire survey. The audit covered 28 directional stop locations representing 14 named stops on both sides of the corridor and assessed stop typology; footpath pavement, width, height, cleanliness, and maintenance; shelter; seating; passenger information; universal-access facilities; lighting; and related amenities. Face-to-face questionnaires were completed by 360 public-transport users aged 60 years or above. Five-point Likert-scale responses were summarized using frequencies, percentages, mean scores, sample standard deviations, and rankings. The findings demonstrate substantial deficiencies across the corridor. Of the 28 directional stops, 53.57% were informal request stops, 28.57% were pole stops, and only 17.86% were classified as small stops. Twenty-one stops, representing 75.00%, had no shelter, while no stop had permanent shelter. Passenger information signage and universal-access infrastructure were absent at all assessed stops. Twenty-seven stops, or 96.43%, had no seating, and the same proportion lacked supporting amenities such as lighting, dustbins, and rain protection. Footpath conditions varied considerably, but inadequate width, discontinuity, poor maintenance, and absent pedestrian facilities remained important concerns, particularly at peripheral stops. The perception survey reinforced the physical-audit results. Lack of shelter and inadequate seating appeared among the five highest-rated barriers at all 28 directional stops. Lack of pedestrian crossings appeared among the principal barriers at 22 stops, difficulty seeing passenger information at 16 stops, and traffic-related safety concerns at 10 stops. Across most locations, elderly respondents assigned the highest improvement priority to better shelter coverage, followed by comfortable seating. Clear signage, ramps, handrails, safer road 2 crossings, improved footpaths, and better lighting were also repeatedly identified as important interventions. The study concludes that the present bus-stop environment along the Lagankhel–Dhungin corridor does not adequately support safe, dignified, and independent travel by elderly passengers. Corridor-wide improvement is required, combining standardized weather- protected shelters and age-appropriate seating with continuous footpaths, safe crossings, accessible boarding areas, clear passenger information, lighting, and routine maintenance. The findings provide route-specific evidence that can support Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Mahalaxmi Municipality, transport operators, and infrastructure agencies in prioritizing age- friendly and universally accessible bus-stop improvements.

Keywords

Older – adult mobility; bus-stop accessibility; public transport; age-friendly infrastructure; universal design