Features Desired in Public Transport in a Developing City: Users’ Perspective

Abstract

Excessive growth of population and urbanization in the developing countries set an increasing demand of mobility services. To meet this demand , public transport plays a significant role by providing an easy and affordable mobility service. Public transport service is a process evolving over time nevertheless is not always directly responsive to the changing demand of the passengers. Recently in developing countries, the unpleasant experience in public transport services is seen as one of the main reasons behind increased passenger car share, which eventually lead to traffic congestion. However, the situation can be ameliorated if the features of the public transport are improved by addressing the users’ demand. In this study , the primary features desired and demanded by the passengers of a developing country are identified by three phase survey. These identified features are also categorized based on public responses. And finally, the required features in an appropriate public transport mode are prioritized by using a common Multi Criteria Decision Making approach (AHP — Analytic Hierarchy Process). The study suggests that residents of the developing city are not that much concern on the outlook and ambience of the service rather they are concerned about finishing their trips safely in time at an affordable rate. The findings of this research will help planners and decision makers to make the best use of the investment in public transport services and infrastructure to promote these modes over privately owned vehicle.