Analysis of Travel Choice Behaviours of Commuters in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

This study modelled the travel choice behaviour among commuters in a few selected coastal capital cities in the Niger Delta, reference to road and inland waterways. Multinomial-logit model was used in explaining discrete choiceswhile multiple Regressions was used for the model equation. The following factors that influence the behaviour of commuters such as travel time, cost, and socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics were investigated. A simple severity index was also used to ascertain the safety level of both ferries and automobiles which could influence commuters' mode choice behaviours. The alternative transport modes available to users were considered and include –private cars, walking, bus service and ferry (boat). From the findings, the use of private cars will be reduced considerably if the public transport sector is given attention in terms of infrastructure/facilities so they can compete. The greater percent that refused to change from private cars to public monorail show that private car users are attached to their cars not just for convenience but for prestige, flexibility, and privacy and finally, it was gathered from the model equation that variables like employment status, distance to work and driver's license had zero effect on the behaviour of people per their choice of transport mode.