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Evaluation of BRTS Service Quality Using User Preference

Parth Parikh*, Pankaj Prajapati

Abstract


India is one of the world’s fastest developing countries, with increased urbanization contributing to a rise in vehicle population in metropolitan areas. This scenario exacerbates several traffic issues such as congestion, air pollution, and decreased safety, necessitating a change in commuters from private to public transportation. In light of this, public transportation’s efficacy and service quality must be improved in order to give a superior alternative to private transportation. Operators of public transportation, on the other hand, are curious in whatever aspect of service quality attracts
passengers. Estimating service quality and the impact of qualities on service become more crucial in this area. As a result, the focus of this research is on the technique for estimating service quality based on user preferences and the measuring influence of factors on service quality. The Rajkot city
(Gujarat) bus rapid transit system was chosen to meet the main objectives. In this system, operator amenities, safety, convenience, comfort, and service reliability are influencing characteristics on service quality. A questionnaire was developed with this in mind, and a survey was performed. Each stop along the BRTS (Bus rapid transit system) circuit used to collect data aggregating about 650 samples from BRTS users. The service attributes considered as Frequency, Punctuality of the bus, Speed and Proximity of the stops from O/D. Fare, cleanliness of the vehicle, Space, Information, Safety, Courtesy, and Accessibility. To assess service quality rating and identify impacting parameters, Structural equation modeling also known as route analysis approach, is utilized. The structural link between observable variables and their associated latent variables is examined in this
technique. The goodness of indicators proposed by several writers verified this concept. Latent or hidden variables are simply explained by their associated observed variable in this study. The present Transit system’s service quality is between Good and Excellent, according to an examination of data obtained from a survey of Rajkot BRTS. Apart from a few variables, users are quite satisfied with the service quality of BRTS.


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