Measuring Public Transport Accessibility – A Review and Future Directions

Abstract

Achieving sustainable transport targets in the context of population growth requires a significant shift from private vehicle use to public transport (PT). To enable this transition, PT services must provide accessible and efficient connections between passengers' origins and desired destinations, particularly for recurring, peak-period commuting trips. This study reviews existing methods for measuring PT accessibility, highlighting the strengths and limitations of various accessibility metrics. This work emphasises the need for a comprehensive PT accessibility metric that accounts for both supply and demand dynamics. Finally, in light of Sydney's newly announced Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) precincts, we discuss how a refined PT accessibility metric can guide practitioners and policymakers in addressing PT supply-demand imbalances.