Purpose: This study aims to find directions to improve the barrier-free (BF) certification criteria by assessing the current BF certification system, which is used as a method to improve access to passenger facilities and as a method for universal design planning, and by comparing BF certified facilities with non-BF certified facilities. Methods: This study assesses 20 BF certified facilities and 39 non-BF certified facilities, which were constructed in 2005 and onwards. The results of the assessment are compared and analyzed based on the following three categories: railway stations, urban railway stations and bus terminals. Results: The results of the analysis show that the total scores of the BF certified facilities are higher than those of the facilities that were not BF certified, indicating that the BF certification system is effective. Implication: However, there are some criteria items showing higher scores in facilities that are not BF certified than in BF certified facilities. This suggests the need to improve the BF certification criteria.