Accessibility of public transport for older adults in Batam city, Indonesia

Abstract The rapid growth of the ageing population in medium-sized cities presents increasing challenges for the provision of inclusive public transport systems. This study examines the accessibility and service quality of Trans Batam buses specifically for older adults in Batam City, Indonesia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a questionnaire survey of 200 public transport users aged 60 years and above with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving elderly passengers, transport operators, and local government officials. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the key determinants of elderly user satisfaction, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to contextualise quantitative findings. The results indicate that physical accessibility (β = 0.41, p < 0.01) and comfort (β = 0.35, p < 0.05) are the most significant predictors of satisfaction, followed by affordability (β = 0.21, p < 0.05). Conversely, elderly participation in transport planning (mean = 2.32) and bus stop accessibility (mean = 2.38) received the lowest satisfaction scores. Qualitative findings reveal persistent barriers, including high bus steps, distant and poorly designed bus stops, limited age-friendly information systems, and the absence of institutional mechanisms for elderly participation. Although several identified issues may also affect other age groups, their impacts are more pronounced for older adults due to physical, health, and social constraints. This study contributes empirically by extending age-friendly transport research to a non-metropolitan, island-based city context and methodologically by integrating regression and thematic analyses. The findings highlight the need for low-entry buses, accessible bus stops, targeted driver training, hybrid information systems, and participatory planning frameworks to support inclusive and sustainable urban mobility.