Accessibility of public transport networks for disabled people in Bangkok

This research aimed to serve as a guideline for public transport improvement for Thai disabled people. Due to concentration of disabled, blind and people in wheelchairs who live in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, they were selected as a case study. The methodology was proceeded by two steps. First, the travel demands were surveyed by interviewing according to purpose, mode, frequency and origin/destination. Second, some routes with high travel demands were selected from the analyzed trip pattern. The evaluation of the routes represented the existing conditions of public transport handicap in Bangkok. From the study, it was observed that most of the blind people traveled by bus while the people in wheelchairs had to use taxi or a personal car. Generally, it lacked of continuity and efficiency to access the public transport system. Some improvements were recommended.