Public Transport Accessibility Challenges in Khaniabad-e-No Neighborhood, Tehran: An Evaluation of Service Quality and User Experience

This study examines the quality and equity of public transport accessibility in Khaniabad-e-No, a dense, low-income neighborhood in southern Tehran where public transport serves as a critical mobility lifeline. Using a mixed-methods descriptive–analytical approach, the research integrates resident surveys with systematic field observations to assess physical access, operational efficiency, safety, comfort, environmental conditions, and user perceptions. Results reveal a pronounced mismatch between nominal access and functional accessibility: although the neighborhood is served by multiple bus, shared-taxi, and metro routes, residents report very low satisfaction with service reliability, waiting times, vehicle availability, cleanliness, and thermal comfort. Safety perceptions are similarly weak, shaped by poor lighting, low sanitation levels, and inconsistencies in sidewalk quality along access routes. Observational data confirm substantial deficiencies in stop amenities, including inadequate shelters, limited seating, insufficient accessibility features, and poorly maintained environmental conditions. Together, these findings demonstrate that accessibility challenges in Khaniabad-e-No stem primarily from operational shortcomings and degraded travel environments rather than spatial distance to transit infrastructure. The study highlights the importance of integrating objective service indicators with perceived accessibility and micro-environmental assessments to more accurately diagnose mobility inequities. Findings provide an evidence base for targeted interventions aimed at improving service quality, safety, and user experience in underserved urban neighborhoods.

Keywords:

Public transport accessibility , Low-income neighborhoods , User perception , Service quality , Spatial equity , Tehran