How the Poor Commute in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

This study examined how the poor traveled to work in Bangkok, Thailand. Two sets of travel surveys were conducted in groups categorized as low income: residents in low-income communities and low-paid workers in various job locations. The results confirmed the general understanding that travel behaviors of the poor depended not only on income but also on public transport availability, job location, and home community location. Suburban residents with limited public transport services tended to travel by private motorcycles and to spend a large portion of household transport expenditures on vehicle and fuel costs. Others who lived near public transport services depended more on public transport and spent a larger share of transport expenditures on fares. No significant difference in household transport expenditures between the two groups was found. The travel survey by occupation revealed that privately owned motorcycles were the most popular mode, followed by employer-provided transport and public buses. Informal modes constituted a small share because of the relatively high fares. The average commute costs of informal modes were higher than the average cost of public buses and were closer to the average cost of private motorcycles. Male commuters were more dependent on private motorcycles and less on public transport than female commuters. With age, dependence on private motorcycles increased and dependence on public transport decreased. Average commute times did not vary significantly among occupational groups. These results highlighted the importance of low-cost public transport to vulnerable subgroups of the urban poor.