Parameters for Assessing Public Transport Accessibility of Indian Cities

Urban public transport (PT) is essential for sustainable cities due to its capacity and benefits for economy, health, and environment. However, merely providing PT services is insufficient; ensuring equal accessibility is crucial. The Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTAL) tool, developed in London, is a global standard for assessing PT systems using Points of Interest, Service Access Points, frequency, and walk networks. Despite its utility, factors like time, fare, land use, density, infrastructure, comfort, safety, and cleanliness also affect PT accessibility. A Melbourne study revealed disparities between expected and observed PTAL, suggesting additional parameters might help. In India, where PT users are mainly captive, PTAL assessments often overlook smaller cities. This study, conducted in Rewa, Satna, and Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh, tests PTAL’s accuracy and explores additional parameters, focusing on intra-city PT and Intermediate Para Transit (IPT). Findings indicate PT is preferred for low fares, while IPT is chosen for convenience. Enhancing PTAL accuracy involves incorporating layers like building cover and land use, applicable through a Geographic Information System (GIS) plugin.