Transit and fairness: Exploring spatial equity in Accra's public transport system

Globally, millions of individuals access services and opportunities on a daily basis using different modes of motorized and non-motorized transportation. However, in the global south, the role of public transport in providing access to services is relatively under-researched due to non-functional public transport services and poor infrastructure. This paper uses data from the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) to empirically contribute to the discourse on how public transport availability varies across different residential locations and assess if there is equitable access to Public Transport Infrastructure and Services (PTIS) across urban and peri-urban areas. A household questionnaire survey was designed to collect data on public transport access based on socioeconomic, socio-cultural, personal preferences/experiences and residential location in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). A sample size of 1340 respondents, consisting of males and females between the ages of 18 and 70 residing in GAMA, was achieved. The paper also used data from the public and open databases. The Three-Step Floating Catchment Area (3SFCA) and geospatial methods were used to estimate spatial accessibility. The study found a significantly high disparity in accessibility to public transport in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). There is also significant spatial inequality in the level of access to Public Transport Infrastructure and Services (PTIS) in GAMA. The study revealed that the planning and provisioning of public transport infrastructure in GAMA has left areas with inequitable access to transport services. There is the need for increased investment in public transport infrastructure in EAs where Public Transport Infrastructure and Services (PTIS) were found to be very low or low in GAMA. • The Three-Step Floating Catchment Area (3SFCA) model aided in estimating potential public transport infrastructure and accessibility in a global south city • Poor transport infrastructure, lack of timely travel information, and poor policy implementation are the major contributing factors to transport inequality in Accra • There was significant difference in the average distance to a transport access point in different districts in Accra. • An individual's residential location significantly impacts their access to public transport in Accra. • There is empirical evidence of spatial inequity in public transport infrastructure and services in Accra