The experiences and needs of persons with disabilities in using paratransit services

Editorial information: Disability and Health Journal.

The paper aims to identify the experiences of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) with paratransit in Switzerland. It explores their needs and verifies facilitators and barriers to the use of paratransit services.

Paratransit services are an important transportation option for PWDs who cannot use public transport or can only use it to a limited extent. They contribute to transportation equality for persons with disabilities. Costs for paratransit are normally above the price for public transport but lower than those of a taxi service. Note that, whereas experiences of PWDs with using public transport are extensively studied, the experiences with paratransit are rarely investigated. Paratransit costs are covered by health and disability insurance for certain travel purposes. Costs for other travel purposes are financed, for example, by the cantons.

A qualitative approach has been adopted, with four online focus group discussions and one physically present discussion group, including 31 participants overall. The data collected have been processed using content analysis.

Paratransit services are mostly used for short distances to medical consultations, leisure activities (e.g. meeting other people) or daily duties (e.g. shopping). For activities that require longer travel distances, participants prefer using other services (e.g. public transport, private cars). Paratransit services are experienced as helpful for an independent, self-determined mobility.

Overall, participants are satisfied with the given infrastructure (e.g. fixation systems for wheelchairs in vans) and equipment (e.g. ramps) of the paratransit. A few participants experienced the infrastructure and equipment as barriers (e.g. a car may sometimes be categorised as disabled transport or the vehicle may not be accessible for users who must remain seated in their wheelchair). Moreover, there seems to be no standard infrastructure and equipment for paratransit services. This requires extra effort from users to collect crucial information and plan ahead of time (e.g. assuring that there are large ramps available for heavy wheelchairs). Some participants, due to the severity of their impairments, mentioned in the discussion groups that they will remain dependent on paratransit, even if accessibility guidelines are fully met by public transport providers. Overall, persons with disabilities experience paratransit as an important and appreciated alternative to public transport.

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