<![CDATA[Public transport accessibility is essential for promoting equitable urban mobility and social inclusion, particularly in medium-sized cities experiencing rapid suburban expansion. In many Indonesian cities, the growth of peripheral settlements has outpaced the development of public transport networks, resulting in unequal accessibility between urban centers and peripheral areas. This study investigates the social consequences of these accessibility gaps for vulnerable population groups in three Indonesian medium-sized cities: Malang, Mataram, and Palu. A qualitative multiple-case study design was employed. Data were collected during January 2025 through field observations, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected participants representing public transport users, peripheral commuters, students, older adults, transport operators, drivers, government officials, and an academic. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis through iterative open, axial, and selective coding to identify recurring patterns across the three case cities. The findings reveal consistent disparities in public transport accessibility between urban centers and peripheral areas. Urban centers were characterized by denser route networks, higher service frequency, shorter waiting times, and better first-mile and last-mile connectivity. In contrast, peripheral areas experienced limited route availability, infrequent and unreliable services, longer walking distances to stops, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure. These accessibility gaps generated significant social consequences, including increased travel costs, delayed access to employment and education, restricted access to healthcare, reduced daily mobility, and greater dependence on private motorcycles, ride-hailing services, and family support. Older adults, persons with disabilities, students, low-income households, and peripheral residents were identified as the groups most adversely affected. The findings further indicate that accessibility inequality is reinforced by rapid suburban expansion, limited public funding, low commercial viability of peripheral routes, and insufficient integration between transport planning and land-use planning. The study concludes that improving public transport accessibility requires more than expanding route coverage. Equitable mobility depends on reliable service frequency, effective first-mile and last-mile connections, accessible pedestrian infrastructure, and integrated transport–land-use planning. Policy interventions should prioritize peripheral route expansion, feeder services, operational subsidies for socially necessary routes, and coordinated governance to reduce transport-related social exclusion and promote inclusive urban development in Indonesian medium-sized cities.]]>
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