What are the qualities of public transport that are relevant for users?
Planning for low-carbon mobility that promotes public transport, walking and cycling modes is a key step towards sustainable mobility in cities. Choosing the right pathways to sustainable mobility is of particular importance to growing cities, which are faced with a high population growth rate, pressurized public transport systems and a heavy reliance on the private car. Congestion and a transport planning culture that places more prominence on the private car, has created a vicious cycle of increased private vehicles on the road, followed by an inclination to expand the road network, which leads to users buying even more cars. It is thus vital for stakeholders in these cities to interrogate what measures need to be taken to influence changes towards a decrease in private mobility to mass mobility through promoting low-carbon public transport.
The following are the most important requirements of the public transport system from users of medium sized cities: reliability, frequency, fare levels, personal security, the extent of routes and information.
Reliability refers to how consistently and predictably the public transport system operates. It has been established that regardless of the geographical context of users or the actual performance of the transport system in their regions, the need for reliability is of utmost priority. Frequency comes in second pointing to the need for continuous supply of public transport service to users. Fare levels and personal security is third but subjective as it varies based on local and/or national circumstances.
The location of stops and stations, transfer issues, comfort, facilities of vehicles-stations-stops, and safety from accidents is of moderate to varying importance. This is interesting as it shows the subjective nature of user requirements based on personal experience. It becomes increasingly clear in other non-ranked results of various studies which show that different lifestyles and/or psychological make-up have a large effect on the ability and willingness of users to make a shift from private to public transport.
User perception and behaviour is significant in public transport planning and should therefore be given due consideration. Research shows that user perception is subjective and varies based on a multiplicity of factors. However, certain qualities remain consistent regardless of the variations in factors. These are: reliability, frequency, security (both personal and from accidents), connectivity (the extent of routes) and information.