Municipal regulatory guarantees for accessibility and inclusion in transit services for people with disabilities and the elderly: an analysis of Palmas, Porto Nacional, and Fátima

Abstract

people with disabilities and the elderly in transit services, narrowing its focus to a comparative analysis of the municipalities of Palmas, Porto Nacional, and Fátima, in the state of Tocantins. The general objective is to understand how these locations comply with current legal determinations to ensure the autonomy and mobility of these groups. Methodologically, it is supported by an exploratory qualitative approach, configured as a Multiple Case Study, operationalized through a literature review, document analysis, and surveys of official websites. The results point to distinct scenarios of executive efficiency: while the capital, Palmas, establishes itself as a reference through the implementation of modern mobility plans and services such as "Porta a Porta" (Door-to-Door), Porto Nacional faces adaptation challenges within its historical heritage center, and Fátima exemplifies the vulnerability of small municipalities that are not integrated into the National Transit System (SNT), operating under the direct application of federal legislation and showing low practical efficiency. It is concluded that the effectiveness of fundamental rights and the transition from merely decorative signaling to an inclusive urban structure depend directly on continuous budgetary planning, active inspection, and the full exercise of autonomy and the municipalization of transit.