Model for effective bus rapid transit ridership based on users' perception

Abstract

Users’ perception is among the important factors that influence public transport ridership in developed and developing countries. Although there are literatures listing various significant factors that affect ridership, the users’ perception about public transport ridership is considerably neglected especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Regardless of the prevailing problems with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Lahore, the ridership is high and exceed the capacity. Therefore, this study attempts to develop a BRT ridership model based on users’ perception in Lahore using factors that are responsible to attract the users. A questionnaire was developed based on the indicators and the conceptual model extracted from the literature. This questionnaire comprises of 57 ridership-related indicators grouped into eight categories. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique is applied to analyse the collected data. The final ridership model is achieved through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Second Order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (SOCFA). The model suggests that technical and technological factors of Lahore Bus Rapid Transit system are the most important factors for BRT ridership in Lahore based on the users’ perception. The important technical and technological factors include the availability of information on the web, convenient ticketing system, and updated facilities for stations, bus and vehicle. While, the indicators which are categorised under users’ convenience such as parking and pedestrian crossings have the least association with ridership. Even though the proposed model was tested for the BRT in Lahore only, since the indicators and the conceptual model were obtained from the existing literature, the same modelling process can be used for other transit modes in other world cities. This model can help planners develop effective transport planning strategies to improve BRT Lahore by considering the users’ perception.