Unpacking social and cultural inclusion in public transport: a review of two decades of evidence

Abstract

Persistent inequities in public transport suggest that inclusive mobility extends beyond physical accessibility. This systematic review synthesised global evidence on social and cultural barriers to inclusive public transport and strategies to improve equitable travel experiences. A systematic search of academic databases and grey literature identified studies published between 2005 and 2025. Following PRISMA-guided screening, 68 studies were included across diverse contexts, population groups, and methods. The review identified six interrelated barrier domains: attitudinal and behavioural; cultural and linguistic; information and communication; safety and security; economic and equity; and governance. Findings indicated that inclusion operates through autonomy, predictability and social legitimacy, shaping travel confidence, navigation success, perceived fairness, willingness to use public transport and participation in daily life. Effective strategies included accessible and multilingual information, culturally safe and co-designed staff training, gender-responsive safety measures, culturally meaningful wayfinding and participatory governance. Overall, the evidence shows that compliance with physical accessibility standards alone does not ensure inclusive public transport; social treatment, cultural recognition, information access and safety remain key mediators of inclusive mobility.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Transport Reviews, 2026 · DOI ↗