Stated and Revealed Preferences Towards Bus Transport in Sri Lanka

This study aims to identify the attributes of public transportation buses (PTB) preferred by passengers, which will be perceived as the buses’ quality of service. PTB of Sri Lanka faces several issues impacting its quality, efficiency, and modal share. Understanding user perceptions is essential to enhancing service quality and addressing the challenges that deter bus usage. Thirteen shortlisted attributes were rated by 84 (61 Male and 23 Female) respondents, and the top five attributes were selected. The study gathered user preferences towards PTB using Stated Preference (SP) and Revealed Preference (RP) methods for the five chosen attributes. RP data were modelled using a multiple linear regression model with R language. The data set comprised 192 (127 Male and 65 Female) valid responses. SP data showed that the respondents favoured medium-speed buses (51.2%) that were clean and reliable. Time of arrival was the most crucial attribute (30.3%), followed by vehicle condition (24.3%). Segment analysis revealed that gender and vehicle ownership significantly impacted preferences. Both gender and vehicle ownership segments prioritised arrival time and least valued seat comfort. The study emphasises the importance of prioritising punctuality over comfort. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for policymakers to design more user-centric strategies, potentially enhancing the efficiency and attractiveness of bus services in Sri Lanka.