Journey fragmentation and fare regulation non-compliance in urban paratransit: a criminological exploration of elderly commuter experience in Ghana

Introduction This study explores the impact of journey fragmentation and fare regulation non-compliance on elderly commuters in urban Ghana. It situates the issue within the broader context of urban transport vulnerabilities facing the aged, who often lack the resilience to absorb the consequences of fragmented mobility systems. Guided by routine activity theory and techniques of neutralization, the study aims to unravel the institutional and moral dynamics that enable these systemic challenges.Materials and Methods An embedded case study design was adopted to allow for in-depth exploration of lived experiences and institutional perspectives. Participants included purposively selected elderly commuters (n = 20), paratransit drivers (n = 20), and officials (n = 4) from the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD). In-depth Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather qualitative data. Thematic analysis was employed to examine how structural and individual-level factors interact to shape the transport experiences of the elderly.Results The findings reveal that financial pressures are the primary driver of journey fragmentation by paratransit drivers. However, this is further compounded by ineffective enforcement of urban transport regulations, attributed to limited institutional resources and the bribery of MTTD officials. Drivers often deploy moral rationalizations to justify non-compliance, using narratives of economic survival and institutional failure. The convergence of these factors results in entrenched systemic weaknesses that marginalize elderly commuters, depriving them of predictable, affordable, and dignified mobility options.Conclusion The study highlights how both institutional lapses and individual rationalizations perpetuate a transport ecosystem that is unaccommodating to elderly commuters. Without urgent reforms, particularly the implementation of inclusive, enforceable, and elderly-sensitive transport policies, this demographic will remain vulnerable to the compounded risks of journey fragmentation and fare exploitation. The study calls for data-driven and participatory approaches to urban transport planning that recognize and prioritize the unique mobility needs of the aged.