Travel Satisfaction of Bus Rapid Transit Users in A Developing Country: The Case of Bhopal City, India

Abstract

India's burgeoning population has led to an increased demand for transportation services, particularly in urban areas. To address the growing mobility needs and mitigate the adverse effects of personal vehicle usage, efficient public transit services are imperative. Several Indian cities have implemented bus rapid transit (BRT) systems to address this problem, but ridership for the majority of the BRT systems remains below breakeven (this refers to the point at which the revenue generated from ridership equals or surpasses the costs associated with operating and maintaining the transportation system). Thus, it is necessary to assess the determinants of commuter satisfaction with BRT. The present study aims to examine factors affecting travel satisfaction among BRT commuters. By using structural equation modeling (SEM), the effect of demographic (age and gender) and travel-related variables (fare price, travel time, trip frequency, reliability, ease of using bus service, and comfort level) on BRT commuters' satisfaction and usage of BRT services were analyzed. It was found that while ease of using the service, comfort level, and reliability positively affect BRT travel satisfaction, trip frequency is significantly affected by the ease of using the service only. Furthermore, demographic variables (age, and gender of respondents) were not found to have significant effect of travel satisfaction and trip frequency. The findings from this can study serve as a base for policymakers, city officials, and urban planners to identify commuters' priorities for a well-functioning BRT in India and formulate policies to attract riders by enhancing their preferences.